Pakistan: Khalid for democratisation of PCB constitution (18 Feb 1998)

Wednesday, 18 February, 1998

Khalid for democratisation of PCB constitution

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Feb 17: Mr Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said here today that the PCB's constitution should be democratised and for that necessary steps are required to achieve that objective.

There is no power clash between the Chief Executive of the PCB and the Chairman. The PCB council is supreme of which he is the chairman, stated Mr Khalid Mahmood, who last month was nominated as chairman of the board.

Addressing a crowded press conference here at the National Stadium, the camp office of the PCB, the chairman, while replying to a question about the democratisation of the board's constitution is specially needed when the democratic process is at work in the country.

However, he pointed out the PCB Council, which consisted of elected representatives, is supreme to take decisions for the good of cricket.

Mr Khalid Mahmood, however, stated that besides the PCB Constitution, the constitution of other sports bodies, should be democratised.

The chairman stressed that grass root cricket needs further strengthening and the board is ready to extend its all-out support and help the associations, responsible for the games promotion in their respective jurisdiction.

Replying to volley of questions about Test all-rounder Wasim Akram's exclusion from the South African tour and the issue of match-fixing and betting, Mr Khalid Mahmood said that we had already replied to such questions a number of times in the past. Wasim Akram was offered when he met him to join the touring Pakistan team just now but the former Pakistan captain expressed his inability to go because he is physically not fit.

About the oft-repeated question of match-fixing and betting, he said the PCB is investigating the issue on its own. It has secured the services of other agencies for probing the allegations. Unless we get the required proof of match-fixing and betting, allegation against any player is baseless.

Mr Khalid Mahmood said that after the posting of the chief selector Salim Altaf, a former Test medium pacer, abroad, a new national selection committee would be formed after the conclusion of South Africa.

The chairman regretted the mugging of Mohammad Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq on the eve of the first Test against South Africa in Johannesburg and informed the pressmen that the board is in touch with the team management. The team is in fighting mood, he remarked.

When questioned that Pakistan WAPDA is in a bad shape, needing more of your time, Mr Khalid Mahmood, who is serving there, replied he works six to seven hours and then devotes his time for national cricket. However, he stated that a number of WAPDA chairmen had held high offices in the cricket board in the past. It would not be any difference to him, he remarked.

Khalid Mahmood stated the board would certainly seek the services of Little Master Hanif Mohammad, and other former Test stars for the national cricket. They are our valuable assets, he remarked. PCB Chief Executive Majid Khan, who was at the press conference, replaying to a question about the new domestic cricket formed stated that the new system is functioning well. It has kept the players in better shape and condition as, after getting about a fortnight's rest, they play the competitive game.

PCB Treasurer Waqar Hasan, a former chairman of the national selection committee, said Asad Aziz who is in Pakistan Railways is on deputation to the PCB, was named as Pakistan team manager on South African tour at the PCB Council meeting. So as far as getting double salary allegation is concerned it needs investigation. However, the board is paying salary to Asad Aziz but we do not know that he is also getting salary from the Railways as well. We would recover the amount if Asad is getting double salary.

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