Dubai: With Imran Khan, the cricketer-turned-politician, poised to become the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, there is a likelihood of a major shake-up in the administration of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Top positions in the PCB have always been occupied by nominees of the ruling party. Should that trend continue, then new faces will be seen leading the PCB soon.
According to information from Pakistan, Najam Sethi may have to step down as PCB chairman.
The UAE is scheduled to host many PCB events in the coming months, and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) officials have had discussions about them with the current PCB administrators. If Imran brings about major changes, all plans for the scheduled activities here may have to be discussed again.
The PCB will host the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) during February-March in the UAE. Pakistan will also be staging their international bilateral series against Australia and New Zealand in the coming winter here.
Imran, in an interview to Gulf News, after turning politician, had once remarked: “In Pakistan there are naturally talented players in abundance. We have more talent than any other country in the world, but we need to revamp our domestic cricket structure.” The Pakistan domestic season is scheduled to start from September 1 this year.
It is likely that Imran may open doors for former cricketers to become PCB administrators, although Sethi has done some great work in bringing international cricket back to Pakistan and transforming the PSL into a huge success.
Many cricketers’ names are being talked about as the next PCB chairman. Former captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram, who is a close confidant of Imran, is among the front runners for this post.
In fact, it was even rumoured that Akram may join politics to back Imran, which he later denied to Gulf News stating: “I do support Imran bhai (brother) but I haven’t joined any political party.”
Akram has continued to keep away from politics but supports Imran in all his activities. Last April, Akram even attended Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre launch in Australia, but whether he would be keen to head the PCB remains to be seen.
Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, who was once the chief executive of the PCB, is also among the forerunners. Many former cricketers have met Imran following his election triumph, but it is said that those meetings were only to congratulate him.
It is also likely that former ICC president Ehsan Mani be considered for the chairman’s post since Imran is likely to look for a person with administrative skills. It is also likely that Imran may request former captains Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad to play a part in PCB’s administration. Former leg spinner Abdul Qadir and all rounder Salim Altaf may also be ushered into PCB’s activities.
Many feel that Imran will likely play a big role in lifting the overall standard of sports in the country and may even encourage former players to run the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
