Join 24/7 Cricket News For More Updates
Umar Farooq
October 28, 2011
Zaka Ashraf, the new chairman of the PCB, has said he plans on meeting with "the legends of cricket in Pakistan", starting with Imran Khan, to solicit their ideas on how to improve the state of Pakistan's domestic and international cricket. He also said he believes former captain Shahid Afridi, who recently came out of retirement, still has a lot to offer as a one-day player.
"My focus will be to revive the lost glory of Pakistan cricket," Ashraf told reporters on his arrival at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. "Today is my first day and I need about two to three months to settle down during which i will study the system before making any decisions.
"Meanwhile I intend to get all the legends of cricket in Pakistan on board and take their suggestions for the improvement of both domestic and international cricket. I am scheduled to meet Imran Khan after October 30."
Among Ashraf's priorities are bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. "I will be working closely with our International partners to ensure that the millions of cricket loving Pakistanis are not denied the ability to watch their stars and the game they love on our country's soil."
Afridi retired from international cricket in protest after differences with former coach Waqar Younis surfaced and he was disciplined by the PCB, then under Ijaz Butt. With Waqar resigning as coach and Butt being replaced by Ashraf, Afridi reversed his decision and has made himself available for selection again.
"In my view Afridi is a good one-day player but I will discuss with the experts and might change my view," Ashraf said. "He [Afridi] requested to meet me and I will meet him and many others cricketers. I am a listener and will listen to all and do what is best for the cricket and country."
Ashraf's appointment as PCB chairman, a decision that is made by the president of Pakistan, was a surprising one as he has no playing or administrative experience in cricket. He is a close friend of current president Asif Ali Zardari and that was seen as the key factor in his appointment. Ashraf, however, said that while he may not be a cricket expert, he is an honest man with a good record of governance at Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, which he headed prior to taking over the board.
"Being the president of Pakistan's friend is something which I am proud of and this is not a negative thing at all," Ashraf said. "The person who appointed me is an elected president and we have to respect his decision. I am honest and expect to handle the crisis. I have a respectable record while with ZTBL. I actually wasn't a banker before taking over ZTBL, only a corporate and business person who believes in discipline."
As the head of ZTBL, Ashraf signed up several key players for the bank's domestic men's and women's teams. He believes there is plenty of talent in Pakistan and intends to find it. "Pakistan do have talent that is for sure. I have plans to activate academies and with the help of experts and selectors will hunt down talent."
Before he could take over as chairman of the PCB, Ashraf had to first resign as president of ZTBL. The process took longer than expected because the ZTBL's internal governing board meeting was only concluded last week.
The day began with the arrival of chairman in a black BMW, escorted by a Land Cruiser and a private security patrol loaded with armed men, an unusual scene even for the chairman of the board. The stadium security was on high alert already, as usual but there were a few breaches of protocol as the day unfolded.
Rana Farooq, the federal minister for textiles, walked up to meet Ashraf after arguing with the head of security in high pitched voice and called the chairman by his first name. When Javed Miandad, the PCB director general, shook hands with Ashraf, he also passed a sheet of paper to him, which attracted everyone's attention. The incident was discussed by almost everyone afterwards, with lots of speculation about what was written on it.
The chairman, who was dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt and grey tie, was welcomed by equally formerly dressed staff at the PCB. The former head of ZBTL met all the directors of PCB in the board room and was given a formal presentation by the board's chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmad. Later, Ashraf met the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Qasim Zia, who had come to welcome the new chairman to his office and congratulated him on taking charge. Zia wished Ashraf good luck and hoped for the best for his tenure.
Bookmark and Share This Post :
0 comments:
Post a Comment