“Players should prioritize playing for Pakistan over leagues,” says PCB chairman

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 26 Jan 2024

LAHORE: The interim chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shah Khawar has stated that playing for Pakistan should be the first priority for players on Friday.

While addressing the media during a press conference, Shah Khawar addressed the reports of players focusing more on franchise leagues than national duty.

“I have come to know that the focus of the players during the New Zealand tour was on leagues more than the ongoing series,” said Shah Khawar.

“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 first priority has to be to play for Pakistan and all centrally contracted players must adhere to this,” he stated.

The interim chairman also shed light on his meeting with Pakistan’s team director Mohammad Hafeez in the presence of chief selector Wahab Riaz and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer.

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“We had a general discussion regarding the team’s performances in Australia and New Zealand,” said Shah Khawar. “He will furnish a formal report assessing the team’s performances and reasons for defeats in the Test and T20I series.”

“He was given a one-month contract, which has expired. Now his case is in the hands of the Patron-in-Chief and the approval [for extension of contract] will be given from there,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Shah Khawar, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Election Commissioner of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) assumed the powers of Chairman of PCB on Wednesday.

According to the notification dated 23 January 2024 from the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry and by virtue of Article 7(2) of the PCB Constitution the Election Commissioner is vested with the powers of Chairman PCB.

Shah Khawar’s appointment as the interim chairman came after PCB Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf stepped down from his post on January 19.