PCB to gather more ‘cricketing minds’ to improve cricket affairs

LAHORE, Jun 14 (APP): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that the Board will gather more former cricketers to run cricket in a better way.

In an informal interaction with the media on the sidelines of the national pre-season red-ball camp at the National Cricket Academy, Gaddafi Stadium here on Saturday, he said the PCB was expanding its pool of former cricketers to improve cricket-related decisions.

“We are increasing the number of cricket minds so that better results can be achieved,” he said, adding that he will soon meet former Pakistan captain Younis Khan as part of the consultation process.

He further said future of Shan Masood’s red-ball captaicy will be determined by a panel of “cricketing minds,” as the board moves towards a more structured and expert-driven decision-making system.

Naqvi revealed that the existing advisory group, currently comprising three former cricketers, would be expanded to six or seven members. The enlarged panel will be entrusted with key cricketing decisions, including the selection of the national Test captain. “The decision on the Test captain will be made by the cricket minds we are bringing together,” he stated.

He said that cricket matters should be handled exclusively by experts, adding that he does not intend to interfere directly in team selection. “My job is to strengthen the PCB financially. Cricket should be run by cricket minds,” he said.

Defending white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, despite Pakistan’s lack of a major tournament title under his tenure, highlighting the overall number of matches won since his appointment in May last year.

Naqvi also announced sweeping reforms to the central contracts system, stating that only players who actively participate in domestic cricket will be eligible for national contracts.

Naqvi made it clear that domestic cricket participation would be mandatory for all players seeking central contracts. “If a player does not play domestic cricket, he will not receive a central contract,” he stated.

He added that fitness levels, domestic performances and on-field consistency would be key criteria for selection. The PCB also plans to increase match fees to further strengthen the domestic structure.

On Central contracts, the PCB Chairman said the entire contracts process will be computerized, eliminating any possibility of bias or external influence. “The contract system will be fully computerized. No one will be able to influence categories or selection,” he said.

Naqvi was confident that the reforms would promote merit-based selection, improve standards in domestic cricket, and strengthen Pakistan cricket in the long term.