W Fernandez: Majid for strong cricket base (21 Aug 1997)

21 August 1997

Majid for strong cricket base

By Walter Fernandez

KARACHI, Aug 20: "It is my considered opinion that we have a base of only 7,000 cricketers in the country that are playing the game at club level on a regular basis and which forms the grassroot for selection in the National squad," stated Majid Khan , the Chief Executive (CE) of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an exclusive interview to `Dawn' here on Wednesday.

"The majority of people think there is a glut of talent in Pakistan because young lads are seen playing on the streets around the country. But that is not so. One can never perfect his game in this particular fashion," opined the PCB CE and former Pakistan captain. "Today cricket like any other game is an industry and as such should be treated in this way. Gone are the days, when cricket was played as a pastime. Big money is being poured into cricket and everyone from the organisers, players and all those who are associated with it should be aware of this fact," said Majid Khan, former Pakistan opener.

"Everyone should begin to think on these lines and adjust their good old attitude, to cope with these changed times," added the PCB CE. "As the Chief Executive of the PCB, what I am striving to achieve is to strengthen the game at the grassroots by introducing sponsorship for associations," explained the former Pakistan Captain.

"I am working on the modalities and once I have finalised that by speaking to the people in Pakistan Television to cover the game at the city and regional phase, I will get back to them and I am pretty hopeful the required response from the sponsors will be forthcoming, said Majid Khan.

"Until and unless we improve the infrastructure we would not be able to promote the game at the grassroots and that will have a restraining effect," opined Majid.

"Then coming to the new format being introduced in domestic cricket from the upcoming season, what I am trying to establish is the players and organisers should be mentally prepared for a full six months season with gaps laced in between," clarified Majid.

"Once the players know they have a season stretched over six months they will keep themselves fit for that entire duration and should they sustain any injury they would also be able to return to full fitnessin the given space of time," said the PCB CE.

"Then you see, with about 10-day gaps in the season the various association can use that period for practice and practice matches at the club plane thereby improving the all round standard," added Majid . "Take for instance Australia's Sheffield Shield competition. There are only six State teams namely; Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania that play only 12 games each season on home and away basis. Yet the season is spread over six months from the month of October," stated the former Pakistan hard-hitting opener.

"During the breaks the players from the various states practise at least for three days and play a match in club cricket," added the PCB CE. "I have learnt one lesson from my late father (Dr. Jahangir Khan) that one has to submit to the will of officialdom," said the former Pakistan Captain.

"It was in the year 1968, when my father had resigned as Chief of Lahore's cricket body and Mr. Mohammad Hussain, who later became the Board President, was elected to the post. Former Test cricketer Aftab Gul, who was much junior to Shafqat Rana, Salim Altaf and myself, was appointed the Lahore team captain," added Majid Khan.

"Aftab Gul was closely connected to Ch Mohammad Hussain and because of that was made the skipper. So Shafquat, Salim and myself refused to play under his captaincy the next day. When may father got back homwe from work that day, he asked me what was the result of the day's proceedings. I shot back, I do not know," stated the former Pakistan opener.

"My father looked aghast and inquired why I did not play. To cut a long story short. I related what had transpired the evening before. He sternly told me, who are you to question the decision of authority. If in their wisdom, they arrived at the conclusion that none of you were fit enough to be captain, you simply accept that. So the following day all three of us agreed to play," said Majid Khan.

"Referring the Shahid Afridi affair, neither Zaheer Abbas, who was in the business class not me saw what had taken place. I only got to know about the incident when I got to Lahore and a reporter who was present on the plane had informed me. Shahid Afridi later did admit what happened," stated the PCB CE.

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