Majid Khan - PCB Not To Influence Players (6 Feb 1997)

6 February 1997

PCB not to influence players: Majid

Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, Feb. 5: The Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Majid Khan, has said it will be entirely upto the player himself if he wants to play for Pakistan or not.

"We are not going to influence anybody to play for Pakistan," Majid said from Lahore, adding: "It is purely the decision of the player."

Pakistan face a ticklish problem of raising a match-winning team between May and September when at least three leading players viz Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmad are expected to be busy with their respective counties in the English season.

During May and September, Pakistan are scheduled to play three one-day internationals in India against India. They then travel to Sri Lanka in August for the Asia Cup followed by the Singer Cup in Singapore in the same month. In September, Pakistan will go to Canada for the annual Sahara Cup.

"The tour of India is very much on. Although the dates have not been finalised, the matches are likely to be played in the second week of May," Majid said when asked if India`s tour has been postponed as indicated by certain quarters.

The cricket board supremo said until now none of the stalwarts have informed him of their non-availability. "Wasim (Akram) might have announced his decision; as far as the PCB is concerned, we don`t know anything," said Majid. However, Majid Khan confirmed he has instructed the players to confirm their availability in advance.

When asked there was a contractual clause between players and the counties that they (players) will be released when required on national duty, Majid Khan said: "Nothing doing. We will not ask the counties to release the players. It will solely be the decision of the players. Let them decide their priorities."

In the 1995-96 season, the then chief executive of the PCB, Arif Abbasi, had got Wasim Akram released from Lancashire to play in the home series against Sri Lanka when the islanders were here in September. Majid Khan was then the tour manager of the team.

While Wasim Akram is taking the season with Lancashire seriously because 1998 is his benefit year, Waqar Younis signed a two-year contract with Glamorgan last year when Pakistan were in England. Mushtaq also signed another three-year contract with Somerset whereas Northamptonshire hired the services of Mohammad Akram after his six-wicket haul against them in a three-dayer.

Majid Khan, former Test captain, when asked what repercussions he foresees in the PCB after the change in the political set-up in the background of what has happened after the last three elections, he replied: "The PCB doesn`t come under any political party. It comes under the President who is the Patron. I don`t think there will be any reshuffling."

It is being speculated that Chairman of the PCB, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah Bokhari, and Treasurer, Salman Taseer, may make way for PML (N) candidates after their party (PPP) was swept aside in the Election-97.

The former Test celebrity said a Council meeting will take place after Eid-ul-Fitr. "According to the constitution, the General Body has to meet at least once while the Council has to meet at least four times in a year. "The date of the Council meeting will be released after Eid," he said.

On the continuation of tenure of Mushtaq Mohammad as cricket manager, Majid Khan said the year was not over yet. "He was given the contract in September and his contract expires in August. Between now and August, more cricket is to be played. "We will review Mushtaq`s performance before deciding what has to be done," he added.

Mushtaq Mohammad, on Sunday, left for England on paid holidays. On Thursday last, he called on the Chief Executive and besides other issues, also discussed in length the modalities of his future contract, sources said.

Mushtaq, sources continued, has asked for raise in salary as he is being monthly paid Rs 40,000. Mushtaq has told Majid that Rs 40,000 was a handsome amount for one living in Pakistan but was insufficient for the one who is supporting his family living in England, sources said. (Rs 40,000 is equal to 615 pounds).

Mushtaq has asked for a salary which the other international coaches were getting, sources said. Mushtaq Mohammad has also asked for a share in the sponsorship money which the players get for using sponsors clothings. Mushtaq, sources added, has cited the contract which was awarded to him as well as to Majid in 1995-96 by the then Chief Executive Arif Abbasi in which they were not only paid monthly stipend same as of match fee of Javed Miandad, they also received share for wearing the sponsors kits. Mushtaq, sources said, did not get a single penny from the prize money which Pakistan get for winning the World Series Cup earlier this month.

Source :: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn)