LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Chaudhary Zaka Asrhaf Monday termed the formation of Big-3 in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ‘harmful for the game which was facing a big threat from it’.

Talking to the reporters after a meeting of the Governing Board here at the National Cricket Academy, Zaka said: “The formation of Big-3 is a dictatorial decision which is harmful for the world cricket and what we want is that the decisions on important cricket issues should not be taken under the influence of the Big-3.”

He saidPakistan’s stance on Big-3 was that games worldwide control should not be given to the Big-3 and decisions should be unanimous with the mutual understanding between the affiliated Test playing members. “With pressure coming from different countries, Big-3 stance is now softening and we will continue our efforts to make it appropriate for all the member countries by having equal representation in different committees,” he said.

He said that he would seek advice and recommendations of Prime Minister M Nawaz Sharif, also PCB patron, on the issue of the Big-3. “We want to have a meeting with the Prime Minister to seek his guidance before attending ICC’s meeting on February 8 in Singapore,” he added.

He said the board members expressed serious concerns over the model proposed by Big-3 comprising India, England and Australian cricket boards which was neither in line with principle of equality in the interest of the game.

He said the new coach of the national cricket team would be named on February 6. “The most suitable candidate will be selected on the recommendations of the committee set up to accomplish this task keeping in view the needs of our cricket and team.”

“We have open options with us as far appointment of the new coach is concerned and the choice will be made from home and foreign coaches based on their experience and standing in the game.” The position has fallen vacant after expiry of a two-year contract which Dave Whatmore completed with the team.

Replying to a query, he said that the new selection committee would be named today (Tuesday) and the selection had been made from a number of individuals.

To another query, he said the PCB would conduct an inquiry to ascertain the facts in the incident of Test cricketer Umar Akmal who was locked up in a police station following a brawl with a traffic warden. “A committee is being set up to look into the matter which will put up its recommendations by looking into the matter which led to an ugly incident which should have happened as obeying the traffic laws is far important,” he added.

Zaka said Naveed Akram Cheema performed the duties as the manager of the national cricket team with sheer hard work and commitment but now he was serving as the Punjab chief secretary and he might not have any interest to take up the same responsibility again.

He reiterated his pledge to promote cricket at domestic level saying that PCB would endeavour hand-in-hand with the regional cricket bodies to achieve this objective. “We are extending all-out cooperation and creating facilities in regional cricket bodies to work at basic level of cricket. It is the result of resolute efforts of the PCB that Fata where sports do not exist before cricket is the most popular game and it is helping the youth of the area to keep themselves away from social evils including terrorism.”

He lauded the efforts of Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa for taking keen interest in the promotion of cricket in the province.