PCB's quest for stability not easy

Five former Test cricketers, four of them captains, are trying their best to protect the PCB from the clutches of politicians.

By Soumitra Bose and Shreyas Sharma

Cricket and politics have always gone hand-in-hand in Pakistan, but this time, if Wasim Akram is to be believed, the winds of change are blowing.

The PCB was left without a chairman after Naseem Ashraf resigned following the fall of the Pervez Musharraf government. After the sports ministry took over the affairs of the cricket Board, matters seemed to be getting out of control until Pakistan's Big Five decided to act in Lahore on Sunday. A team comprising Akram, Waqar Younis, Rameeez Raja, Saeed Anwar and Mushtaq Ahmed met law minister Farooq Naek to take stock of PCB affairs.

"The meeting went off well and we are sure, PCB will get back its autonomy," Akram told Mobile ESPN on Monday. The legendary quickie added the minister assured that the current scenario was a "temporary phase" and President Asif Zardari "will name a chairman in the next 10-20 days".

Akram said the appointment of the new chairman will be key to Pakistan's future. "Not only will it bring back autonomy but will indicate who leads the national side. There is a lot of question mark on Shoaib Malik's captaincy and there is a lot of pressure on the fellow," Akram said.

The Big Five has requested the law minister to review the PCB consitiution. "We have suggested the constitution should allow for a cricket committee that will comprise five players with each more than 50 Tests' experience. This committee will have the final say on all decisions pertaining to the game and free from diktats by the chairman or CEO," Akram said.

Even as cricket attempts to turn a new leaf in Pakistan, the formation of the cricket committee will surely ruffle a few feathers, especially those who have been enjoying power for so long. The PCB's current general manager (cricket operations), Zakir Khan, will be the first to face the boot if the 50-Test rule applies. Khan has just played two Test matches and according to Akram, "not ideal" to run cricket.

Politics has always played an active role in cricket administration in the sub-continent. India is relatively better of than Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Zardari, already under pressure to establish himself as the President of his trouble-torn nation in world politics, may not have much time for cricket. The formation of the Cricket Committee may be the answer, but given Pakistan's history of anarchy and mistrust among senior players and administrators, the search for stability will be a dream come true.