LAHORE: In a major decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday finally constituted a high-profile body, named Cricket Technical Committee (CTC), headed by former Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and comprising prominent names like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez.
“The CTC will provide recommendations on cricket-related matters, including, but not limited to the overall domestic structure, scheduling, playing conditions, appointment of the national selection committees, appointment of national team coaches, central and domestic contracts and plans for the development of umpires, referees and curators,” read a press release issued by the PCB on Wednesday.
“The CTC will have the powers to invite additional cricket experts, and shall report to the head of the PCB Management Committee on regular basis,” added the release.
According to some recent media reports quoting sources, former skippers Misbah and Hafeez along with another ex-captain Rashid Latif were engaged in preparing the cricket structure of the PCB for the last many days without any official announcement. During their meeting in Lahore, the three players held differing views on the structure of the forthcoming domestic cricket season, which is likely to start in early September, and could not come on one page on the subject.
Subsequently, the CTC was finally announced officially, on Wednesday, barring Rashid who was replaced by Inzamam, the 1992 World Cup hero who played 120 Tests and 378 ODIs for Pakistan from 1991 to 2007.
Later on Wednesday, Rashid during a TV talk show said that he does not want to have link with any committee of the PCB.
“My name is not in any [PCB] committee. I only went to the PCB just on the request of Misbah. If a former Pakistan captain requests me, I will go. [However], I have refused the chairman [Zaka] to take up any role in the PCB,” Rashid, a veteran of 37 Tests and 166 ODIs, remarked.
“I went [to the PCB] only once. I can’t go further; I have no link with any committee and will not take any role in future too.”
Meanwhile, PCB Interim Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf hoped the richly experienced CTC would help Pakistan lift its cricketing system.
“I am delighted to welcome Misbah, Inzamam and Hafeez on board for the betterment of cricket in our country. These three former captains possess great cricket knowledge and understand the demands of modern-day cricket,” Zaka said.
“Domestic cricket structure is a pillar of any cricketing nation. We have to make it fool proof and its structure progressive. The presence of Misbah, Inzamam and Hafeez, three of Pakistan’s most experienced and decorated cricketers who rose through the domestic ranks, will help us in providing our cricketers the best system to thrive so that we can produce the best cricketers.”
Misbah, who represented the country in 75 Tests, 162 ODIs and 39 T20Is between 2001 and 2017, reckoned the CTC having highly experienced members would impact Pakistan cricket positively.
“It is a great honour for me to be appointed as the head of this committee, which comprises well-respected individuals who have served Pakistan cricket for decades,” Misbah stated.
“This is a challenging assignment, but with the vast experience and knowledge that this committee possesses, I have no doubt whatsoever that we will be able to make a positive difference by providing recommendations that improve and enhance the state of the game from the grassroots to the very top.”
Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023
