By Sohail Ali
LAHORE, Nov 09 (APP): The Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held their 59th meeting here on Monday took important decisions including appointment of four new independent members.
The meeting at the National High Performance Centre thrashed out a lengthy agenda and took decisions relating to the promotion of game besides improving PCB’s performance.
Following are the matters that were discussed and their outcomes:
(Governance)
The BoG, in accordance with PCB Constitution 2019 Clause 12(1)(c), unanimously approved the appointment of four independent members. They are: Javed Kurieshi, Arif Saeed, Aasim Wajid Jawad and Ms Alia Zafar.
Javed Kurieshi and Arif Saeed have been appointed to the BoG for a three-year period, while Aasim Wajid Jawad and Ms Alia Zafar have been appointed for a two-year period.
Following the appointment of the four independent members, the new BoG has been formed. The remaining three members on the BoG will be appointed following completion of the election process at the Cricket Association level.
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said on Monday night: “I want to congratulate and thank all the respected outgoing BoG members for their outstanding contributions to Pakistan cricket.
Following promulgation of the new PCB Constitution in 2019, these distinguished members, on my request, had agreed to continue through the transitional period and provide the PCB management appropriate guidance through their knowledge and insight.
“The fact that these BoG members unanimously approved the appointment of the independent members, which now changes the outlook and composition of the BoG, illustrates their respect for the PCB Constitution 2019 and Pakistan cricket at heart.
“However, the PCB will continue to benefit from their experience and understanding, by including them as members on the Cricket Associations’ interim executive committees (IECs), which will be confirmed shortly.
The first and the most critical assignment of the IECs will be to supervise the registration of clubs so that cricketing activities can resume at the grassroots level.
“I welcome the newly-appointed independent members to the BoG, especially Ms Alia Zafar, the first female independent member, which is a giant step forward in enhancing the PCB’s governance structure.
“The four new members bring with them a wealth of diverse knowledge that will only improve the professional outlook and working of the PCB.
These four individuals are highly respected and proven performers in their respective professional lives and we aim to benefit from their knowledge in our efforts to improve our governance.”
(Domestic cricket season 2020-21)
The BoG appreciated the PCB for successfully completing more than 50 per cent of the 208-match 2020-21 domestic cricket season in the difficult and challenging Covid-19 pandemic.
The BoG noted Pakistan was the only country that had announced a full domestic schedule and to date had delivered three high-quality and competitive tournaments, which were thoroughly enjoyed by the Pakistan cricket fans and followers on PTV Sports, delayed live-streaming and social media.
The 33-match First XI National T20 Cup was won by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the 15-match Second XI National T20 Cup was won by Central Punjab and the 31-match National U19 One-Day Tournament was won by Sindh.
In addition to these events, nine matches in the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 15 matches in the three-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and three matches in the National U19 Three-Day Tournament have been completed.
Separately, the women’s high performance camp was staged at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre from 8-31 October, which was attended by 27 elite women cricketers.
The BoG also expressed its delight that the remaining four HBL PSL 2020 matches will be played from 14-17 November and the foreign cricketers had already started to arrive in Karachi, while South Africa’s tour for two Tests and three T20Is in January/February 2021 was also on track.
The BoG welcomed the England and Wales Cricket Board’s statement that it was considering a short tour to Pakistan in January 2021 and congratulated the PCB for its efforts in convincing a leading cricket nation like England to consider touring ahead of their expected full tour in 2022.
It was acknowledged that this will prove to be the catalyst for New Zealand, Australia and England’s tours in 2021 and 2022.
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan said: “We have achieved unprecedented success on the domestic cricket front, by not only delivering top-quality cricket in difficult Covid-19 situation but also by involving some of the very best former cricketers in various coaching and support roles.
“Due to the successful staging of our 2020-21 domestic season through our own resources and capabilities, we have been able to demonstrate to the world that Pakistan is a one of the safest countries to play cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Faf du Plessis’s decision to make his HBL PSL debut in the playoffs and the participation of 18 other foreign stars in the remaining four matches is an endorsement of the PCB’s efforts in what presently is a challenging time for the world.
“With this background, it is very satisfying that our implementation has been acknowledged by the PCB’s superior body; the PCB remains committed to looking after the health and wellbeing of our cricketers, officials and support staff.”
(Integrity)
In line with the PCB’s zero-tolerance policy for any form of corruption or dishonest behaviour by any of its officers or players, the BoG approved the PCB Whistleblowing Policy, which incorporates all relevant stakeholders in addition to PCB employees, officials, players and players support personnel.
According to the policy, any person who becomes aware of any matter or behaviour that may amount to Whistleblower Information can report the same to the Chief Operating Officer via email ([email protected]) along with complete details, including supporting documents and evidence.
While the PCB has assured it will keep the identity of the whistleblower and contents of the report confidential, and will also protect the whistleblower from any form of detriment, including discrimination, harassment or retaliation as a consequence of the disclosure.
The PCB has also urged stakeholders to use the PCB Whistleblowing Policy cautiously, wisely and responsibly as frivolous and unsubstantiated reports and allegations can cause irreparable damage to the individuals against whom reports are being made as well as their near ones.
PCB Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer said: “Stakeholders represent a valuable source of information that can be utilised to identify a potential problem and to deal with it before it causes significant damage to PCB or its stakeholders.
“While we are encouraging stakeholders in good faith to share information with evidence and supporting documents, we expect them to exercise this opportunity responsibly as any malicious or frivolous report can destroy the reputation and careers of honest, hardworking and promising individuals.
Any whistleblower found to be deliberately misleading the PCB for personal gains and benefits will be subject to strict disciplinary action.”
(PCB declares PKR 3.8b profit in 2019-20 fiscal year)
The BoG approved the audited financial statements 2019-20, which included an after-tax-profit of PKR 3.8 billion. The PCB reserves now stand at PKR 17.08 billion as compared to PKR 13.28 billion in the 2018-19 financial year.
The PCB audited financial statements 2019-20 will be posted on the PCB’s corporate website in due course.
Separately, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan briefed the BoG that the board had exceeded the PKR 24 million projections by selling the 2020-21 domestic season inventory for PKR 34 million, a rise of PKR 11.5 million from the 2019-20 season.
With discussions for title sponsorship of the Pakistan Cup One-Day Tournament underway, the PCB expects to touch the PKR 40 million-mark.
(Other matters)
Ehsan Mani updated the BoG on a number of matters, including PCB-PTV Sports-I Media Communications Services agreement, three-year agreement with SuperSport and progress on broadcast partners in other regions, as well as international matters relating to the Asian Cricket Council and the International Cricket Council.
The BoG, on the recommendation of the nominations committee, approved the appointment of three independent adjudicators, namely Mr Justice (retired) Abdul Sami Khan, Mr Justice (retired) Ali Akbar Qureshi and Mr Justice (retired) Shoaib Saeed, to the panel maintained by the PCB.
The BoG was updated on the recent performances of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team and noted the steps being taken to introduce consistency in selection policies and team results across all three formats.
