A senior official in Pakistan’s government, Rana Sanaullah, plans to urge Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the cricket team’s poor performance in the Champions Trophy during Cabinet and parliamentary discussions. Pakistan’s campaign ended poorly with defeats to New Zealand and India, and a rainout against Bangladesh. Sanaullah criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its detachment from government oversight and called for accountability regarding financial management. He emphasized the longstanding issues in Pakistani cricket, including the need for structural improvement and better management at all levels to enhance the sport’s future in the country.
A senior official from the Pakistan government has stated that he will urge Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to bring the issue of the national cricket team’s lackluster performance in the Champions Trophy to both Parliament and the Federal Cabinet. “The (Pakistan) Cricket Board operates independently. They are free to make their own decisions, which they have. I will request the Prime Minister to address this in the Cabinet and Parliament,” said Rana Sanaullah, the advisor to the PM on Political and Public Affairs, in an interview with Geo TV.
The host nation’s journey in this prestigious tournament ended abruptly with significant losses to New Zealand (by 60 runs) and India (by six wickets). Their inconsequential final group match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was abandoned without a ball bowled due to relentless rain.
Sanaullah, a former federal and provincial minister as well as a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) party, emphasized that the caretaker government prior to last year’s general elections had fully severed the PCB from the Federal Government’s influence.
“The challenge we face is the ongoing fluctuations in cricket and the changes within the Board over the last decade,” noted Sanaullah, while also pointing out the poor state of the sport at the grassroots, university, and district levels.
He stressed the necessity for the PCB to be accountable for its expenditures at a time when conditions at lower levels remain starkly inadequate.
“The financial activities at the higher levels (of the PCB) should be disclosed to the public and Parliament. Mentors are receiving five million rupees and have publicly admitted they are unaware of their responsibilities… thus, they are profiting without fulfilling their duties,” he asserted.
“If you look at the benefits and privileges provided to PCB players and officials, you’d be left wondering whether this is Pakistan or a progressive European country. These are issues that the Prime Minister will surely take note of.
“This situation has persisted for some time, where individuals assume roles (within the PCB) of their own choosing and act as they wish, ultimately leading to the current state of cricket and the board.
“There must be enhancements, and a stable system akin to those in other countries needs to be established,” he added.
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