LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday named former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim as head of its revamped cricket committee.

The committee was first formed in 2018 with former Test opener Mohsin Khan as its head. But Mohsin resigned from the post in 2019 as Wasim Khan was named as head of the cricket committee. Now the 66-year-old Iqbal will lead it.

The committee contains new names of former Test cricketers Umar Gul and Ali Naqvi while former Test captain Wasim Akram and Urooj Mumtaz were retained.

In addition to these five, PCB chief executive Wasim Khan and director international Zakir Khan will serve as co-opt members of the committee.

During the past two years, the cricket committee has not been able to play any effective role for Pakistan cricket as its job is only to give recommendations to PCB chairman on the game-related matters.

“PCB Cricket Committee’s remit will be to advise PCB chairman Ehsan Mani on cricket-related matters, including but not limited to the performances of the national cricket teams and their managements, domestic cricket structure, high-performance centres and playing conditions,” a PCB press release said.

“The Committee will have the powers to invite relevant personnel for its quarterly meetings to assist as part of its evaluation, assessment and recommendation process.”

Speaking on his appointment, Iqbal said, “I am pleased the PCB has considered me for this important assignment. I will try to utilise all my cricket and corporate experience and knowledge in the successful delivery of my responsibilities.”

“The Cricket Committee comprises members who are avid followers of the game, are on top of all matters related to the game in Pakistan and, therefore, with collective wisdom, [they] will make recommendations that will help the PCB to improve its strategic direction.”

PCB announces consortium for PSL broadcast

The PCB also announced the consortium of its broadcast production partner for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020, which will be held at four centres across the country — Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi — from Feb 20 to March 22.

The consortium includes Tower Sports and SportzWorkz.

A PCB press release said: “The appointment was finalised following an open and transparent tender process as per the Pakistan Procurement Rules 2004. Pursuant to a rigorous pre-qualification process, the consortium had submitted the lowest evaluated bid.

“Tower Sports is a Pakistan-registered company while SportzWorkz is registered in Singapore, and, together, they bring a powerful and respected crew of production management team who have a great wealth of experience of quality cricket production,” the PCB release added.

“As part of the HBL PSL production arrangement, Tower Sports and SportzWorkz will also work to train Pakistani camera persons and technical crew.”

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2020