Shaharyar Khan vows to clean up Pakistan cricket

Shaharyar Khan, the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has admitted that one of his key aims is to clean up the image of Pakistan cricket. The final months of the reign of his predecessor, Lt-Gen. Tauqir Zia, were marred by accusations of nepotism, selection irregularities and financial mismanagement.

"Cricket nowadays has loads of money and it is essential that the affairs of the administration are transparent and clean," Shaharyar told the BBC in an exclusive interview. "Officials have been under pressure for selecting favourite players. People have been trying to influence their decisions and the cricket administration has also been suffering from grouping.

"This is not acceptable. We need a clean administration to make it efficient as well. I won't allow anyone to pressurise me or other cricket officials. If I won't take any pressure, the same thing will go down to the bottom."

An immediate problem facing Shaharyar is to intervene in the increasingly hostile clash between Aamer Sohail, the chief selector, and Javed Miandad, Pakistan's coach. The pair have been at loggerheads, with Miandad claiming that decisions regarding teams have not been run past him or Inzamam-ul-Haq, the captain. "This is not the biggest or the only issue," Shaharyar explained. "There are a lot of other issues which need attention. I won't be bringing in wholesale changes at once. I will talk to former administrators, cricketers and former players before introducing reforms."

He is also keen to ensure that funds find their way down to the grass roots. "The game needs investment on the lowest level as people don't have grounds or playing facilities. This is essential to maintain the influx of good cricketers."

Shaharyar later expanded on his comments in an official press release. "I have been overwhelmed by the welcome that I have received on my appointment as chairman of the PCB," he said. "I feel deeply privileged and humbled at this honour bestowed on me by the President, and I am grateful for all the messages of goodwill.

"While I shall make a full statement to the media after formally taking over the post, I would like to respond briefly to the numerous questions that have been posed to me, as follows.

"I shall carry out a round of consultations with leading cricketers, administrators and commentators after taking over. I hope in this way to learn from their experience before outlining the board's policies.

"I shall insist on transparency, financial probity and public accountability of the board's action and finance.

"Merit alone will be the criterion of the board's policies relating to selection, appointments and other related matters. Justice will not only be done but will be see to be done.

"I shall insist on upholding the noble and sporting traditions of cricket and will expect the highest standards of behaviour and sportsmanship, especially from players who are given the honour of wearing the national colours.

"My special focus will be to tap the vast enthusiasm for the game with the underprivileged by providing them with grounds, equipment, coaching facilities etc that are not currently available to them. A strong base of the pyramid will ensure sustained cricketing excellence at the top.

"I shall also focus on reviving our internal first-class programme so that public support for our local teams strengthens the competitive fabric of our players."