PM Nawaz Sharif is a known cricket enthusiast and it was expected of him to take measures ridding PCB of rot within it, for cricket to survive in Pakistan. The only consistency of our cricket players is their inconsistency and their incapacity to stand up to pressure, or learn from their mistakes. From team selection to organizational structure of PCB, everything has been a victim of political interference and nepotism. With all due regards to the judiciary, the decision to make it mandatory for Chairman PCB to be first class cricketer is bound to be fraught with disaster.
For PCB to function properly and cope in a hostile environment, created by years of mismanagement and failure to regulate and enforce discipline, makes it mandatory that Chairman must be a man with integrity, proven administrative skills, educational qualifications, knowledge of ICC affairs and fairly good understanding of cricket.
Controversies of corruption and irregularities that dominate various clubs, which are dominated by nominees of former Chairman PCB, removed from office by the judiciary, makes them highly unlikely to be capable of electing a competent chairman. Immediate measures are required to reorganize these clubs on merit, so that elections can be held, if Pakistan cricket is to thrive and regain its lost glory. As for the team, it needs a thorough cleanup because Pakistan cricket cannot afford another controversy where greed dominated nexus of few players and team management has cast a gloom and brought into disrepute PCB and Pakistan.
Consumption of energy drinks like Red Bull in cold drink bottles during drink intervals and in the dressing rooms are on rise. While excessive caffeine can bring about a burst of energy, it cannot last them for longer versions of game like Test Matches or even 50 over game. We need to select younger cricketers, nurture and train them for the next World Cup, instead of making national team hostage to cartels, player power and elements with known links to betting mafia and political godfathers. There should be zero tolerance for indiscipline.
MALIK TARIQ ALI,
Lahore, November 17.