Majid Khan's future hangs in the balance (19 May 1999)

19 May 1999

Majid Khan's future hangs in the balance

Samiul Hasan

Karachi, May 18: The future of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Majid Khan whose three-year term expires on May 23 is shrouded in uncertainty. Todate, there was no information whether Majid Khan would continue with the job or will return to his parent organization - Pakistan Television Corporation.

Majid, who succeeded Arif Abbasi in 1996, on Tuesday said he had no information about his future.

"I don't know. If they tell me to continue I will," he remarked.

According to the constitution of the PCB, only the President of Pakistan as Patron of the the PCB is empowered to appoint a chief executive, the chairman and treasurer of the PCB.

Though it was still not clear whether Majid Khan would get the extension or not, Khalid Mahmood has decided to represent Pakistan himself at the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual meeting scheduled at Lord's on June 22.

Board sources, however, confirmed that ICC has also invited Majid Khan and the decision taken by the chairman was a deviation fromthe established tradition in which the chairman and chief executive of every board attend the summit.

"Besides, it is the executive council which decides whether it was unnecessary to send the chief executive if the purpose can be accomplished by the chairman," sources said.

According to the constitution of the PCB, the chairman is empowered "to summon and adjourn the meetings of the General Body and council; perform such other functions as may be required by this (PCB) constitution or may be entrusted to him by the General Body or the council; (besides) being responsible to the General Body and the council for ensuring that their policies and directions and the purposes of the board are carried out."

Among the long list of duties of the chief executive, he is "supposed to deal, correspond and take suitable action with respect to International Cricket Council (ICC), Asia Cricket Council (ACC), domestic and international cricket affairs, including assurances of itineraries, confirmation of tour arrangements and any other matter pertaining to cricket affairs."

It would not be out of context to mention here that officials of the cricket board cash in on the opportunity of assembling at the ICC headquarters by finalizing various tours on long-term basis.

Majid was surprised when told he was not going to England. But he made no comments.

However, he made it clear that until he got instructions from the presidency, he will continue to sit at the cricket headquarters in Lahore.

"Until I am told to leave the office, I will continue to perform my duties," he said in a stern tone.

Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)