LAHORE: Former chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Arif Ali Khan Abbasi has rejoined the PCB as its chief consultant after remaining out of the board affairs for almost 18 years.
Notwithstanding, Abbasi’s association with the PCB this time has come about at a time when his boss PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf’s own position is in the doldrums as the question of who should head the PCB has once again reached the Supreme Court (SC).
The incumbent PCB chief was reinstated as chairman by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) last Saturday but the federal government challenged his restoration in the SC on Tuesday.
If the SC sets aside the IHC’s order, the prime minister-appointed Najam Sethi may again come back as PCB chairman.
After being appointed as PCB chief consultant, Abbasi who was flanked by the PCB chairman while ignoring the legal position of Zaka said: “No doubt it is a challenge for me but I always accept challenge and people know it very well. I don’t think about decision of the SC.
“In any case, we have to make an attempt and this time around we are trying to improve Pakistan cricket and the same is being done by Zaka. If you want to escape due to fear of obstacles then you don’t need to accept the challenges,” commented Abbasi.
“The ad hoc on the PCB has defamed Pakistan across the world and whatever has been happening these days is simply shameful,” he said.
Talking about the previous PCB set-ups and their administration, the newly-appointed PCB chief consultant said: “When the PCB had a general body, an executive council and an honorary treasurer it was earning success. Name any tournament which Pakistan could not win in the 90s with that system. Among top 20 players of the world, 11 were from Pakistan. Was that a better system or what exists now?’ said Abbasi who as chief executive of the PCB remained a major force in bringing the 1996 World Cup final to Pakistan for the first time.
Governing Board to convene today, says Zaka
Abbasi to a question about the recently-formed ‘Big Three,’ said it was not the ‘Big Three’ but the ‘Corrupt Three’ which the PCB had approved in writing, admitting there was nothing wrong.
“But the current match-fixing scandal in India in which the Indian Supreme Court has ordered for a third inquiry has raised a question as to how a tainted person (BCCI suspended president Srinavasan) could head the ICC.
“We just have to raise the point loudly in the ICC meeting that when Srinavasan’s own country is not accepting him how we will accept him here and believe me many will follow you,” Abbasi argued.
He further said: “You can raise your voice at the ICC forum as it is a misconception that only those in majority are heard,” adding that everyone knew Pakistan had a good track record in the ICC.”
Abbasi , who is known for his anti-‘Big Three’ stance, said under the ICC revamp plan all funds would be granted to three countries including India, England and Australia which would not be good for the cricket.
To a question that Sethi had warned that if the PCB changed the stance over the ‘Three Big,’ the board would suffer losses in billion of rupees as India would not play against Pakistan, the PCB chief consultant said no concrete agreement was in place to ensure India-Pakistan series.
“When the ICC could not implement its FTP programme on both India and Pakistan in the past, how just an MoU can ensure series between the two countries,” he asked.
Abbasi also said that if the PCB suffered losses to the tune of billions of rupees for not playing against India, how India could escape losses,” adding that Test countries had been enjoying equal benefits of playing the series.
“Why would India, Australia and England earn more than you?” he asked.
To yet another question Abbasi said that he did not know what powers he would enjoy as PCB chief consultant.
However, Zaka clarified that Abbasi would have a role to guide the PCB which, he said, had been lacking experience people like Abbasi, adding Abbasi would be useful to improve the current situation.
The reinstated Zaka also said that chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad had his own role.
He further said that the Governing Board had not been dysfunctional and it would be meeting here on Wednesday, adding that a regional member from Bahawalpur Hyder Kamran had been inducted in place of Islamabad’s Shakeel who had resigned soon after Zaka was restored as PCB chairman, raising the issue of incomplete Governing Board.
Moreover, Zaka stated that the government had the right to file a petition against his restoration in the SC while saying that all should accept decision of the apex court.
He again dispelled the impression Sethi had been giving that he was about to give many good news but was not allowed to continue his work as PCB chairman, saying so far he could not find any good news in the papers of the PCB.
About the coaches’ appointments in place of Waqar Younis and others, Zaka claimed that some appointments had been finalised and others were in the pipeline, adding the PCB would also review the appointments made by Sethi.
He further said the main task ahead of him was to improve image of the country at international level.
Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2014