LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) President Alan Isaac has termed the new constitution of the PCB as more democratic in electing its chairman, reducing the risk of inappropriate government interference in line with the world governing body’s constitutional provisions.

In a press statement issued by the PCB on Wednesday stated: “During the ICC Board meetings in Dubai, a copy of the PCB constitution was also presented to ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson, who discussed the salient features of the constitution and also appreciated PCB’s efforts. During the said meetings, PCB chairman was assisted by chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed and Tafazzul Rizvi, the board’s legal adviser.”

According to the PCB statement, Alan Isaac, the ICC president while congratulating the PCB, said: “I must compliment Zaka Ashraf, his team and the government of Pakistan for their efforts in producing a constitution, which makes the process of electing its [cricket board] chairman more democratic and reduces the risk of inappropriate government interference in line with the ICC’s constitutional provisions.

“The ICC Board also welcomed and commended the PCB and the [Pakistan] government for the changes to constitution of the PCB.

“This said constitution has repealed the 2007 PCB constitution; is compliant with the ICC’s charter document; conforms to the requirement of the ICC with regard to independence of the boards and prevention of undue interference by governments in cricket administration in the member countries,” the PCB statement read.

On the occasion, Zaka said: “It has been a long, consultative and thoughtful exercise, and included input from stakeholders including the ICC. I am delighted that in the end, we have been successful in delivering a constitution that is in compliance with the ICC’s requirement and will be beneficial for cricket in Pakistan in the long run.

“The completion of his extremely important task also reflects our commitment as a responsible member of the ICC. The PCB will continue to take all necessary steps which are in the best interest of our great sport,” Zaka remarked.

Meanwhile, though the ICC has termed the constitution democratic, still the document lacks the basic spirit of democratic process. In the previous constitution, president of Pakistan as patron had the authority to appoint any person as chairman of the PCB, directly, while in the new one he indirectly enjoys the same authority.

Furthermore, the constitution has ignored the general body members, who are the real electoral college of any democratic institution, as only a nomination committee and 10 members of the Governing Board will be involved in the process of electing chairman.

The new constitution is also silent about no-confidence move against the chairman, which is also a basic demand of a true democratic process.

The PCB has to present its new constitution to the ICC before June this year. Otherwise, it will have to face penalties.