The ICC has put forward an order for Pakistan Cricket to put the house in order. Reform or be expelled is the request. For any fervent ICC observers, this is an appalling statement. This is because the organisation is a serial crowd when it comes to confronting its own members.It is the first time that the statement from the ICC is lucid. It will take stern action to trudge out corruption, and PCB is the one singled out. Seems like the Pakistan cricket board is the number one basket case. The stance from the ICC is a good gesture, although coming through a bit late. This is also convivial that the organisation is censuring a dysfunctional cricket board even though it happens to be the PCB. Yet major issues are present and need to be addressed by the ICC on urgent basis.
The PCB seems to be an easy objective, secluded and friendless the international arena. Would the ICC have taken a rather central member to task on the same echelon? Precedent has been established and one can just hope the answer to be positive of the above question. But how will ICC act if India, for example, brought the game into disrepute?
The fans of Pakistan cricket might argue that the ICC has not gone far enough. There is no explanation on what is Ijaz Butt is allowed at the board table following his outrageous behaviour? Here lies the complexity of the whole issue, should one man’s ineptness licensed to obliterate a country’s cricket?
In actual terms, who does Mr. Ijaz Butt signify? Does he really represent Pakistan cricket? The chairman of the board was not elected, nor promoted through merit. He does not come following a process, but is imposed on the seat by the head of the state.
On a realistic standing, Mr. Butt runs the affairs at the board in a dictatorial manner. Many of the former players consider his tenure to be full of mistakes and the worst in history. Pakistan cricket is run by a person who only speaks for himself according to the majority.
It is not just the denting strategies of the chairman affecting the board, but also his blatant overrules in case of appointments. The selection panel does not select anyone, he does. Many at the board have resigned due to his interference. The recent resignation by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports is an example of that. Mr Butt refused to appear before the committee and the chairman at last decided to quit.
So what does Ijaz Butt stand for? He certainly seems to be a representative of the politicised cricket administration. That being the case, ICC should take a strict action against the chairman rather than penalising Pakistan cricket. Why should millions of fans suffer at the hands of one man’s ego and maladministration?
Yes Pakistan cricket requires root and branch reforms. But it is Pakistan cricket that requires all the help too and not Ijaz Butt. On the contrary punishment should not fall in line for Pakistan cricket; it is the chairman that who needs to be penalised.
