F.P. Report
Karachi: Year 2019 will be remembered as a landmark year in Pakistan’s cricketing history and PCB Chief Ehsan Mani believes the biggest feat was hosting Sri Lanka for two Tests during the year.
“We had four objectives for this year and we have successfully met all of them. We had to reform our constitution, make the governance structure of the cricket board transparent, introduce corporate practices through clear delegation of duties and fully restore international cricket in Pakistan,” Mani said on the last day of 2019.
“The biggest challenge was to get Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan. They took small steps in their return to the country by playing white-ball cricket here first.
“The biggest achievement for me was the two Tests we played against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi and Karachi. It has sent out a message that Pakistan is safe and ready for international cricket and we will now build on it,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Mani said that the board also endeavored to improve domestic cricket during the year. “The genesis of better on-field performances in international cricket is in domestic cricket. We have made massive investment in the revamping of our domestic structure in a very short time which has resulted in a very successful Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
“The changes have brought forward some fundamental changes. The first-class matches have entered fourth day, which was previously missing. The pacers are not getting undue assistance anymore and this has brought spinners into play, which will address the issue of the lack of spinners.
PCB Chairman also boasted country’s unprecedented recognition in the ICC. Mani, Chief Executive Wasim Khan and Senior Legal Counsel Barrister Salman Naseer were now sitting on five influential committees.
“The PCB now enjoys unprecedented representation at international level as we became part of as many as five ICC committees this year. “We have to make cricket board more efficient and look forward at how we have to progress where there is value for money. We have to bring in more transparency and accountability and create an environment where we can work effectively.
“Our challenge is to bring consistency in our performances and deliver the results. Our players are professionals and the more they play the better they will deliver. These youngsters are extremely talented and they are the light at the end of tunnel, which has been evident by the recent performances.” On the field in 2019, Pakistan produced mixed results.
The men’s side lost four Tests in South Africa and Australia before ending win drought in Karachi, while it missed a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semifinal by a fraction of a point after they ended up on equal points with losing finalists New Zealand. This performance came after they were swept aside by Australia and England in the lead up to the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over competition.
Pakistan emerging sides produced more consistent performances. The U19s won the series in Sri Lanka and South Africa, while the Emerging side won the ACC tournament in Bangladesh. Women were not too far behind and despite being on the losing end against England, they were impressive in their shows against the West Indies and South Africa.
