Breaking the norms, moving Pakistan cricket forward - Najam Sethi

Najam Sethi

It is not often that men running the Pakistan Cricket Board are praised, because more often than not their acts, statements, selections, and management is so unprofessional that one wonders what these people have done in life besides being friendly with those running the country.

Ijaz Butt was an utter failure. His replacement, Zaka Ashraf started off really well, but then presided over some pretty bad decisions.

For some, Zaka Ashraf was the best man to continue running the PCB for the next four years, but his suspension, which has come about due to a failure in following ICC’s regulations regarding electing a Cricket Board Chairman, has come as a blessing in disguise.

Najam Sethi, the interim PCB Chairman who is running the board in place of the suspended Ashraf, has managed to do in one week what Ashraf could not do over a 3-year term.

In the span of 7 days, Sethi sahab has managed to get the ICC to set up a committee that will review the ban on Mohammad Amir. It is very likely that Aamir will be allowed to train at the National Cricket Academy very soon, and there is also a possibility that he will be allowed to play domestic cricket before his 5-year ban ends.

In the span of 7 days, Sethi sahab has managed to ensure that Shoaib Malik, Imran Farhat, and Kamran Akmal are not part of any Pakistan squad.

In the span of 7 days, Sethi sahab has managed to bring back Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad into the ODI team!

No PCB Chairman has been able to rid the team of some players. Ijaz Butt banned them only to overturn his decision due to political pressure. Zaka Ashraf was happy to have them in the team.

No selector got his way in front of Misbah who continuously demanded the inclusion of these players and the exclusion of others.

Sethi sahab has started off on the right foot. Maybe it is because he has got nothing to lose and he knows he is there only for the interim period. Maybe he will soon make way for a more permanent chairman who will bring these players back.

When that happens, we shall see to it. For now, I think Sethi sahab needs to be given a pat on the back for presiding over decisions that make the future of Pakistan cricket look bright.

Thank you Sethi sahab!