KARACHI, Nov 7: Strange decisions and at times virtually bordering on insanity, have been taken by the present Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which took over the reins of country’s most popular sport almost three years ago.

But PCB’s decision to organise Super League One-day Ramazan Cup from Nov 11 to 27 must take the cake. Never before has PCB dared to turn a deaf ear as regards holding tournaments in the holy month of Ramazan as done this time around.

What is PCB’s logic behind organising the tournament is beyond comprehension.

With sponsors nowhere in sight to support the event, PCB is determined to carry on its promise of ‘discovering new talent’, come what may. After all, there is the small matter of World Cup at stake.

Total cost of organising the one-day championship is roughly a cool sum of Rs 3 million. No doubt PCB, arguably the richest sporting organisation in this debt-ridden country, is more than willing to throw money at every opportunity.

On top of it, PCB has decided to play three day-night matches and, for the first time, two fixtures will be all-night affairs.

The person behind this “brilliant idea” did not bother to take into account the simple fact that the dew factor at this time of the year creates a mountain of problems. Wet balls and the damp outfield are two major ones.

What is the guarantee that PCB intends to pick several players from this event before officially announcing list of 30 World Cup probables before Nov 30 deadline.

It would surprise no one if the dummy PCB selectors have already preselected 30 players and only make it public once the exercise in futility is over. Any prior announcement is bound to open Pandora’s box.

If this has already been agreed upon in principle among PCB’s top brass, then staging the one-day event is nothing short of bordering on sheer insanity.

Organising domestic competitions is PCB’s prerogative. All previous cricket regimes generally were sensible enough to ensure the dates of a particular tournament or series, local or international, did not clash with any major religious event.

The current PCB hierarchy lags behind in this regard.

Of course, these days the taxing nature of international schedules has repeatedly resulted in Pakistan playing overseas, regardless whether it is Muharram or Ramazan, Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-ul-Azha or any other religious occasion.

This time round too, Pakistan squad will celebrate both Eids outside the country.

After all, it was PCB’s reckless approach that led to England playing two Tests during the month of Ramazan two years ago.

Not a single PCB official owned up to declare that he messed up England’s itinerary, which was obviously prepared well in advance.