Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a bid to prove its credentials as an independent body free of government interference, presented a copy of its constitution to the International Cricket Council (ICC) top brass on the sidelines of its board meeting in Dubai.
The PCB’s new constitution has repealed the 2007 guidelines and is now compliant with the ICC’s charter document with regard to independence of national boards and prevention of undue interference by governments in cricket administration in member countries.
Zaka Ashraf, chairman of the PCB, presented a copy of the constitution to Alan Isaac, president of ICC and David Richardson, ICC chief executive.
Ashraf, who has opened the doors for former cricketers to play a bigger role in promoting the game in Pakistan, 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.”
Ashraf is on mission to bring back international cricket to Pakistan and had also revived the India-Pakistan cricket series recently.
Appreciating the gesture from the PCB, Issac said: “I must compliment Ashraf, his team and the government of Pakistan for their efforts in producing a constitution which makes the process of electing its chairman more democratic and reduces the risk of inappropriate government interference in line with the ICC’s constitutional provisions.”
The ceremony was attended by PCB’s chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad and legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi.
“This act reflects our commitment as a responsible member of the ICC. PCB will continue to take all necessary steps which are in the best interest of cricket,” Ashraf said.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), which boasts of sending out a team that has been creating waves in international cricket through its spirited displays, has been allocated $422,000 (Dh2.03 million) from the ICC’s Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP). This programme is aimed at developing more competitive teams among full members and associate and affiliate members.
The ICC had introduced a corpus fund of $12 million in January 2012 to help develop more competitive teams at the highest level by targeting the lower ranked full members and higher ranked associate and affiliate members.
The new funding for the ACB has been earmarked for the development of the National Cricket Academy in Kabul but is, however, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.
