https://arab.news/pkdz3
- Hosts Pakistan crashed out of ICC Champions Trophy tournament after losses to New Zealand, India last week
- Rana Sanaullah laments poor standard of cricket at basic levels, exorbitant salaries of cricket board officials
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take notice of the dismal state of affairs of cricket in the country, his adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday, after the national cricket team’s early round exit from the ICC Champions Trophy tournament this week.
Hosts and defending champions Pakistan crashed out of the group stage of the Champions Trophy tournament after successive losses to New Zealand and India in their first two matches last week.
Angry cricket fans have raised questions on Pakistan’s embarrassing elimination, pointing to selection flaws, lack of cricketing talent and intent to play modern cricket.
“So the prime minister will definitely take notice of all these things and we will also tell him that this should be discussed in parliament and cabinet,” Sanaullah told Geo News.
The prime minister’s aide highlighted the dismal conditions of cricket at club, university and district levels, saying that the board should take drastic measures to improve basic cricket.
He criticized the PCB’s decision to appoint mentors last year on a Rs5 million [$17,885] salary per month without explaining to them their job responsibilities.
“They [mentors[ have been heard admitting to the media that they are unaware of their responsibilities, so they’ve been taking Rs5m monthly for not working,” Sanaullah said.
He lamented that the same was the situation in other sports associations of Pakistan.
“They are retired people who take up these positions there to enjoy the perks and privileges and facilities,” he said.
“I think all these things need to be looked at and we need to bring basic changes there.”