LAHORE, June 9: Following the decision to urge Wasim Akram play his final match in national colours on home soil, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to offer other senior players a similar treatment if they decide to retire from the game.

PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, while talking to reporters after meeting representatives of district associations, on Monday said that Wasim had called it a day and the board only provided him an opportunity to get a rousing farewell in front of the home crowd which was the right of every retiring cricketer.

Wasim, who announced his retirement in England last month, accepted an offer by PCB play a One-day International against South Africa in the forthcoming season.

The chairman said that if seniors like deposed Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis also decide to quit the PCB would also offer them the same treatment.

Talking about his meeting with presidents and secretaries of all 107 districts over the issue of new domestic structure, the chairman said he cared less about those who had been hatching conspiracies against him in the past three-and-a-half years.

The chairman remarked that the PCB could have implemented the new domestic structure without any consultation with the associations, but they were given a chance to speak on the issue.

In fact, the meeting which was supposed to discuss the proposed domestic structure, turned into a gathering of people who had grievances against the board.

Most of the representatives of these associations said that PCB had not entertained them. Their letters to PCB regarding complaints and suggestions generally fell on deaf ears.

Various representatives alleged that national umpires had been supporting their like-minded district teams by their biased decisions.

However, the PCB chairman said that there was some truth in the allegations as some people had taken out processions, protesting against this trend.

The chairman claimed that no one from the PCB could make him turn against any one with wrong dictation.

Some representatives from the smaller districts requested the PCB to increase the number of teams in the regional competitions from eight to 12.

The representatives from Sialkot and Mardan asked PCB to hold international matches in their cities.

The chairman said that it was impossible until five-star hotel facilities were available there.

Earlier, speaking before the start of the meeting the chairman said that “our aim is eventually to have one ground for every district, along with a qualified coach and the necessary equipment. We’re also providing assistance in reviving grounds of historical backgrounds, such as Minto Park and University Grounds in Lahore”.

He said that the total expenditure on domestic cricket from this season would be increased by about three times from Rs 30 million to around Rs 75 million. This huge amount, informed the PCB chairman would be met through sponsorships.

Former great Hanif Mohammad also spoke on the occasion and said that excellence in cricket was periodical. “Today Australia is producing great results, yesterday it was the West Indies. We have the talent and PCB is providing excellent back up and support, and if we have patience I’m positive that we would be able to turn things around,” Hanif said.