AS speculations mount over the fate of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi, incoming prime minister Imran Khan has kept his cards close to his chest. Pakistan cricket has a history of the board’s top officials being picked according to the wishes of the rulers of the day. Critics, however, denounce government interference, and say the practice discredits Pakistan cricket. Instead, they advocate the well-established principle of modern sporting governance that national federations be autonomous in the administration of their affairs. Sensing yet another tug of war amid rumours that the new government will ask the PCB’s top hierarchy to step down, and appoint new faces, caution has once again been advised to safeguard the game and its newfound stability. There’s little doubt that things are looking up for Pakistan cricket after nearly a decade of despondency. From the rising graph of the national team to the blossoming of PSL into a multimillion-dollar venture to the return of international cricket at home to rich dividends vis-à-vis the allocation of major tours, the achievements under the current PCB have been impressive. Moreover, wisdom has been shown in the choice of capable coaches and selectors. Stadiums have been renovated and, crucially, a zero-tolerance policy on corruption introduced. Even so, this praise must be diluted with some reservations. The PCB under Mr Sethi and his colleagues have been found woefully wanting when it comes to streamlining the domestic cricket structure, which has been in dire need of reforms for a number of years now.

There are reports that the incoming government may have plans to make changes in the PCB, primarily because of their leader’s long association with the game and the political acrimony that has existed between him and the PCB chairman. However, there are those who see a glimmer of hope as they cite Mr Khan’s victory speech in which he hinted at letting bygones be bygones and making a new beginning with one and all. Hopefully, professional attitudes will prevail.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2018