PCB's financial transparency and allegations of mismanagement raise concerns

 PCB's financial transparency and allegations of mismanagement raise concerns

Asher Butt

Former governing board member Shakeel Sheikh, in a scathing critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has leveled serious allegations of corruption, nepotism, and mismanagement, casting a shadow over the organization's leadership and financial practices.

Sheikh, who has been associated with Pakistan cricket for 55 years at board and regional level, expressed grave concerns about the current state of affairs at the PCB, asserting that he has "not seen worse conditions of Pakistan cricket."

At the heart of Sheikh's criticism lies the appointment of Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman, questioning his authority to make numerous hirings, including 70 to 80 individuals with salaries of some of them exceeding one million rupees. Sheikh specifically pointed to Hafeez's remuneration, deeming it exorbitant and indicative of a "loot cell" operating within the PCB.

Sheikh, in a virtual interaction with media, also criticized the caretaker government's decision to extend Ashraf's tenure, emphasizing the need for merit-based appointments without political influence. He further alleged underhanded dealings in media rights worth 10 to 15 billion rupees, raising doubts about the PCB's financial transparency.

Ashraf's political affiliations, specifically his connection to the People's Party's CEC, further fuel Sheikh's concerns, highlighting the potential for political interference in sports governance. Sheikh underscored the importance of appointing neutral individuals to sports and other institutions, free from political pressures.

Sheikh also raised the issue of spot-fixing, emphasizing the need to remove individuals involved in such scandals from cricket management. He commends the Prime Minister's intervention in removing those implicated in the spot-fixing scandal but called for further action to address PCB's management issues.

Sheikh advocated for a neutral PCB chairman with a deep understanding of cricket, stressing the importance of meritocracy and expertise in cricket governance. He believes that spotless cricketers, with their clean records and experience, should be entrusted with key responsibilities.

Sheikh's revelations demand a thorough investigation into the PCB's finances and management practices. The allegations of corruption, nepotism, and mismanagement cast a dark cloud over the PCB's reputation and raised serious questions about the organization's ability to effectively manage Pakistan's cricketing future.

When contacted, a PCB official stated that there are certain elements of the previous PCB regime who did not want the board to function smoothly and that was why such allegations are being levelled. Whereas, only those people were recruited in the board who have expertise and requirement of cricket and all the dealing are being carried out on merit and are based on transparency, the official asserted.