Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) new CEO Faisal Hasnain has revealed that “largely negative” reports and “headlines” on the country will be put up on the ICC notice board saying its perception and reputation is a problem. This is affecting not only the country’s cricket but also trade and tourism, Hasnain, who has previously served as the ICC’s chief financial officer, said.
“The perception of Pakistan is not good. I can be very honest about that; I have worked with the ICC and Zimbabwe Cricket, so I know the discussions going on in the corridors about Pakistan cricket. Pakistan’s perception and reputation is a problem,” Hasnain said on Wednesday.
The “not good” reputation makes it difficult for the country to invite a top international cricket team. No team has toured Pakistan for more than a decade since the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. “I would see negative headlines or stories about Pakistan being put up on notice boards in ICC offices,” he recalled.
Calling upon the media to play a positive role in changing the negative perception about Pakistan and make the PCB a partner, Hasnain said the cricket pitches in the country also need to be improved.
“The perception now is that if you go to Pakistan you are in the room for almost a month, you cannot go out, the pitches are dead etc and that affects the mindset of the international players. My job is to change this perception internationally.” Hasnain addressed the media along with PCB chairman Rameez Raja after the Board of Governors (BOG) meeting.
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Talking about the lukewarm response during the recent Pakistan vs West Indies T20I series in Karachi, he said that a lot had to be done to make life easier for the fans.
“Cricket is a service industry where we are trying to sell a product and an asset. We got a disappointing response from the crowd for the West Indies series but we don’t think about the fans emotionally. I’ve seen this as a commenter.
“I realize we need to do a lot of work to make life easier for fans. Make it an immersive viewing experience for the audience. This is why BOG has approved the establishment of a fan engagement department ” The lack of star players in touring sides has an effect.
“Also security, long distance, tickets etc are all problems for people we have to make it easy for them.” Raja also felt that what happened to the New Zealand and England teams (when they pulled out of the Pakistan tour citing security concerns earlier this year), the touring sides have been put under pressure and now they Will think twice before leaving tours.
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