head of pakistan Cricket Board of Management (PCB) Najam Sethi made it clear on Thursday that he will act on the advice of the government when it comes to cricket relations with India.
Sethi was on Wednesday appointed the chairman of a 14-member committee to run the sporting affairs in the country for the next four months after Rameez Raja was removed as PCB chief.
When it comes to bilateral and other cricketing relations between Pakistan and India, the governments of both the countries should be consulted, Sethi told reporters in Lahore.
India has not traveled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and following the Mumbai terrorist attack on 26 November that year, a bilateral series scheduled for early 2009 was cancelled.
Read this also Explained: How the ‘Impact Player’ rule works, impact on IPL mini-auction and more
visited pakistan India for a short white-ball series of six matches in 2012, but in the last 10 years, there has been no bilateral cricket. The two teams have only played each other in various International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.
A controversy erupted in October when ACC president and BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that India would not travel to Pakistan for next year’s 50-over Asia Cup – likely to be held in September 2023 – following which the PCB pulled out. Had threatened 50 overs world The cup is to be held in India next year.
Sethi said his main task is to fully implement the 2014 constitution and revive the Board of Governors and General Body under the old system and hold elections within 120 days.
But Sethi, who was chairman and CEO between 2013 and 2018 before resigning after the Imran Khan-led government took over in 2018, appeared unhappy with the announcement of the Pakistan Test squad for the home series against New Zealand by the old management.
“I don’t know if there is a need to make changes in the team or not, we will see if there is a need for new ideas. It would have been better if the team was not announced,” he said.
The government issued a notification on Wednesday night confirming the appointment of the management committee, dropping Rameez Raja, but the current chief selector Muhammad Wasim announced the squad for the New Zealand series.
Sethi gave clear indications that there would be changes across the board, including in areas related to cricket.
“I think I did a good job during my four-five year tenure before resigning. But what has happened in the last four years is for everyone to see.
Sethi also made it clear that the Prime Minister of the country wants the revival of departmental teams and regional cricket associations.
Reviving departmental cricket is our main priority as in the last four years we have seen an alarming rise in unemployment and a dearth of cricketing talent. The old system worked well for us and we got players for domestic cricket. These days it seems we are getting only PSL players.
Sethi said all the groundwork for starting the Pakistan Super League and persuading international teams to play in Pakistan was done in his previous tenure.
“It is good that all the teams are visiting Pakistan now and the tour of New Zealand team is very important for us. But we also have to ensure a steady supply of talent from our domestic cricket.
Sethi also expressed his concern over team selection issues and the team’s performance in the recent Test series against England, which Pakistan lost 0-3.
get the latest cricket news, Schedule And cricket live score here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)