Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, stated on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would address the current state of Pakistan’s cricket after the national team’s disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy without securing a win.
Pakistan’s hopes for redemption were dashed when their final match against Bangladesh was washed out by rain in Rawalpindi. The team ended the group stage in last place, finishing fourth with just one point from three matches.
Following Pakistan’s six-wicket loss to India in Dubai, the national cricket team faced a wave of criticism. Prior to that, they suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match in Karachi.
When asked on Geo News’ program ‘Geo Pakistan’ whether the government planned to implement accountability measures or changes within the cricket infrastructure, Sanaullah clarified that the caretaker government had fully detached the Pakistan Cricket Board from the federal government’s control.
“The cricket board is an independent institution. They can do as they please, which they have. And what they’ve done, it is my personal opinion that I will request the prime minister to discuss the matter in the cabinet and parliament,” Sanaullah said.
“This is not about any particular instance, or about any one chairman being appointed. This is a process that you can see has been happening for the past five or 10 years,” he said.
Sanaullah highlighted the dismal conditions of cricket at a club, university and district level.
“The expenditure happening at a higher level should be brought in front of the country and parliament.
“Mentors are being paid Rs5 million and they have been heard admitting to the media that they are unaware of their responsibilities so they’ve been taking Rs5m monthly for not working “ he said.
“If you see their perks and privileges, you will be surprised and you’ll wonder if this is Pakistan or some progressive European nation.
“These are all things that the prime minister himself will take notice of,” Sanaullah said and reiterated that the matter would be discussed with the cabinet and in parliament.
“This is a process that has been ongoing for a while where people of their own wish take up positions [within Pakistan Cricket Board] and do as they please, which then leads to the current conditions of cricket and board.
“There needs to be improvement, and there needs to be a system in the form of a stable board like there is in the rest of the world.”
He lamented that similar conditions existed in other sports associations of the country.
“They are retired people who take up these positions to enjoy the perks and privileges and facilities. I think all these things need to be looked at and we need to bring foundational changes,” he said.
A day earlier, interim head coach and de facto chief selector Aqib Javed said that Pakistan was knocked out of the tournament “due to a lack of experience among the players”.
When questioned about criticism regarding team selection and speculation on social media regarding lack of understanding between the coach and captain, he said: “This was the best possible team,” adding that Saud Shakeel was brought in because “against spin on these pitches he was a better option as he can tackle spin and capacity to play a long innings”.