PCB Chairman Shah Khawar Dismisses Rumours of Board Dynamics Affecting Team's On-Field Performance

In a press conference, Khawar shared his thoughts on the possible factors for the Men in Green’s dip in performance and stated that the internal turmoil in the PCB regarding the constant change in board members was not contributing to the same.

“I don’t think changes in the board in the last one year have affected the team. It might be a minor reason, but there are other factors, and once the new board of governors is formed and the new chairman takes charge, they will look into this,” Khawar said.

Khawar also took the opportunity to emphasize the independence of the cricket board from any form of government inerference, despite popular belief of the same happening.

“It is a wrong impression that the ministry of inter-provincial coordination or the government interferes in cricket affairs or is taking decisions. The patron in chief of the board, as per powers vested in him and laid out in the PCB constitution, has taken decisions and is authorised to do this,” Khawar exclaimed.

On the other hand, Khawar did touch upon a seemingy pressing issue that plagues Pakistan cricket at the international level: players choosing to favour commitments to white-ball leagues instead of the national team.

Khawar was stern on his stance of Pakistani players needing to proritize representing the national team over franchise cricket.

“On the issue of granting NOCs to players to participate in franchise leagues, the PCB has the policy of giving centrally contracted players permission to attain NOC for a maximum of two leagues apart from HBL PSL over the course of a year. Their priority has to be to play for Pakistan and all centrally contracted players must adhere to this.”

“This is an issue that needs serious reflection because while we don’t want players to suffer financially, it is also important to make them realise, especially those centrally contracted to the board, that their first priority should always be the national team,” Khawar remarked.

Amidst the challenges faced by the PCB, Khawar expressed confidence that normalcy would be restored once the new board of governors took charge.

(with inputs from agencies)