ISLAMABAD - As soon as former Pakistan cricket team captain-turned-politician Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-Insaaf (PTI) has won the general elections 2018, rumours regarding sacking PCB chairman and PHF president are on the ripe.
The sources near to Imran Khan have not only denied all such rumours, but also made it clear that Kaptaan (Imran) is presently very much focused on paying attention towards core issues being faced by the country, rather than opening new ‘Pandora box’. The sources said former Test cricketers like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Hameed and others just met Imran to congratulate him and they had no other agenda. The sources said Imran, after taking office of PM, has lot of challenges to address and he is fully aware about a few names circulating in the media, who are tipped to replace PCB chairman and PHF president. It is not 2013, when Imran had issues with PCB chairman Najam Sethi and he levelled some serious allegations against him.
On the other hand, Sethi has done a lot of good work, as he launched Pakistan Super League (PSL) successfully and made it an international brand, brought international cricket back to the country, took green caps from ashes to top. Sethi has also made it clear that he has no problem to work Imran as he is keen to serve Pakistan cricket. His wife Jugno Mohsin, who is elected as an independent MPA from Punjab Assembly, can also play a very decisive role in bringing both gentlemen closer, as she can join PTI, or at least announce her backing in Punjab, where Imran is aiming to form provincial government, the sources added.
The sources said that same is the case with PHF president Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, who is doing his job very well, so replacing him with either Olympian Samiullah or former president Mir Zafar Ullah Khan Jamali, will serve no purpose.
The sources said at least for next six months, both these gentlemen jobs are safe and they will be allowed to carry on, as claimed by a few circles that Brig Khokhar was politically appointed due to his relations with former Interior Minister Ch Ahsan Iqbal, but they forgot that Khokhar, in past, had also worked with Pakistan hockey team in different capacities and enjoy huge reputation.
The sources said none among Arif Ali Khan Abbasi, Khalid Mehmood, Salim Altaf, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Ehsan Mani are likely to get PCB chairmanship slot immediately. Imran had gained popularity with the neat and clean vision, if he chooses the same old used bullets and tainted people, he has to face huge public wrath, so he would never take such step.
Miandad was a failure in his previous stints as a coach and director while same is the case with Imran Khan’s right-hand Zakir Khan, who is a super flop both as director domestic and director internationals, while Ehsan Mani during his stint as ICC president had done nothing for Pakistan cricket,” the sources added.
The sources confirmed that in case Imran finally changes his heart to bring change in sports organisations, his choices will be neat and clean like Mohsin Hassan Khan, Zaheer Abbas or Abdul Qadir. Majid Khan is long disassociated with cricket and more involved in religious activities. Mohsin Khan had enjoyed successful stints as chief selector, coach and a regional general manager Sindh and also enjoys neat and clean reputation, while Zaheer can be another option, as also has similar reputation.
Imran has to think well before changing PCB, PHF and other top sporting bosses. The POA president is another classic example, who is enjoying fourth term in the office and has failed to deliver, while another major task for Imran’s abilities is the appointment of permanent Director General of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
Imran should bring in 19th amendment and sports ministry, which was dissolved through 18th amendment, should be made active under federal government. He should appoint a person, who must be technocrat and sincere with sports and visit different sports venues personally as it is the only way to bring Pakistan sports to new heights.
