"We need to ensure that we professionalise the PCB as much as possible" : Wasim Khan

[Abdullah719]

Wasim Khan MBE has recently been appointed to the post of Managing Director by the Pakistan Cricket Board for a period of three years from February 2019. With extensive management experience as the Chief Executive of Leicestershire County Cricket Club where he enjoyed an extremely successful stint from 2015-2018, Wasim Khan's depth of knowledge is expected to prove extremely beneficial for the PCB as they look to reform and modernise the cricket system.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Khan spoke extensively about how the election of Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan was one of the key factors in him accepting the role of Managing Director at the PCB, the challenges that he expects to face and his priorities for the development of cricket in Pakistan, and why despite its inherent issues, Pakistan cricket continues to inspire so many fans and supporters around the world.

PakPassion.net: What brings you to, what is often described, as the chaotic world of Pakistan cricket?

Wasim Khan: What attracted me most to taking on this position was the challenge of the role, and the fact that I have always been passionate about Pakistani cricket. Even when I was growing up, the love for Pakistan cricket was always in my blood and in our household, my father was a big supporter too. So, just the opportunity to get involved in Pakistan cricket was a major factor in my decision which was further helped by what’s going on in Pakistan at the moment with Imran Khan coming into power as well as the professional attitude of Ehsan Mani as Chairman of the PCB. It just felt that it was a great opportunity and something that I wanted to do to contribute to and to improve things in Pakistan cricket.


PakPassion.net: So, it's fair to assume that Imran Khan’s election as Prime Minister of Pakistan influenced your decision to accept the role?

Wasim Khan: I've been watching from afar and have admired his stance and philosophy on what he is trying to achieve for his country. As we all know that cricket and politics are probably two of the biggest things in Pakistan, so when this opportunity came around to take on this role at the PCB and to be involved in Pakistan cricket, it was too good an opportunity to ignore. I've always been an admirer of Imran Khan and what he has stood for in his life and it's just great that I am getting this chance now to be part of something special in Pakistan.


PakPassion.net: How difficult was it leaving your role at Leicestershire County Cricket Club?

Wasim Khan: It was a very difficult decision to make as I've had four fantastic years at the Club where they have given me the platform to be who I am today, and I will be eternally grateful for that. However, after four years I felt that now was the right time to move onto a new challenge. To work with the PCB is a huge opportunity for me and also an exciting one, and I'm really looking forward to it.


PakPassion.net: Before accepting the role, did you speak to any former Pakistani players or perhaps former PCB officials for advice?

Wasim Khan: I did not speak to any former Pakistan players, but I did speak at length to Ehsan Mani and I bought into the vision of where he wants to take Pakistan cricket. Over the years, there has been this perception that the Pakistan Cricket Board could be a lot more professional and a lot more organised in how it operates and I think with my education here in the English cricket system particularly with being involved at the ECB, I just feel that there is a huge amount that I can bring to improve the levels of what goes on at the Pakistan Cricket Board. In my conversations with Ehsan Mani, I came to know more about what he felt was needed for this role and it became clear that what I could bring to the table matched up with what the job and the PCB required, and that worked out really well for me.


PakPassion.net: What specific aspects of your work at the ECB and at Leicestershire do you think will help you in your role as Managing Director of PCB?

Wasim Khan: There are a number of elements from my past experience that will help me in my role at the PCB. To start with, I've been heavily involved in restructuring at Leicestershire and one of the things that I know will be a part of my role at the PCB will be looking at the processes and systems in terms of how the PCB operates. I've also chaired the Men's County Cricket Working Group at the ECB during the course of the summer and to look at the domestic structure from 2020 and I know that the domestic structure is one of the areas that the PCB is looking at in terms of improvement.

In any high-performance environment around the world, you need some real stress in the system and you create stress by having less teams and creating better competition and quality of cricket and I think that my experience of working in the ECB Working Group will help massively. Also, having played the game, I can bring in all that knowledge from the playing side as well. In addition, my experience from audit to risk registers, to systems and processes are some of the other strengths that would be beneficial in my role at the PCB. I have led Leicestershire at a very difficult period and we've made some good progress in four years. I've been able to take a lot of good people along with me in terms of the direction we have tried to go with Leicestershire and I certainly hope that I can use a lot of those leadership skills to do exactly the same at the PCB.


PakPassion.net: Was it difficult to convince your family to move to Pakistan?

Wasim Khan: It wasn't too difficult to make that decision. My wife's extended family are from Lahore and I am from Azad Kashmir. We've been to Pakistan many times over the years and the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket is something I feel passionate about and this was a real influence for me in terms of making that decision. Moving to Lahore wasn't a huge issue and whilst there will be some upheavals for my young daughters who are at school, but it's such a wonderful opportunity and a cultural change for them and an opportunity to be amongst Pakistani people and for me to contribute to the Pakistan Cricket Board.


PakPassion.net: As the Managing Director’s role is a new one at the PCB, will your priorities be dictated to you by the Chairman?

Wasim Khan: I think as time goes by in this role, I will get an opportunity to stamp my authority. So, like any new job you go into, you initially assess the situation and listen quite a lot too. What I would like to do is to spend quite a bit of time with staff understanding what's working and what could be improved, and also get an idea of what people are doing. And then ultimately what I want to do after 2-3 months in the role is to be clear about where the structure could potentially go in the future and then there is something tangible that I can present to the Board. We need to remember that PCB have no strategic plan at the moment. Yes, they have an idea of the places they want to go and what they want to do but there is nothing written down on paper, so I will be setting up some real strategic priorities for the direction of Pakistan cricket which will be an important task. Along with this, I will be creating a structure that can deliver these objectives which is probably going to be the way forward and perhaps one of the earliest things that I am going to need to look at.


PakPassion.net: What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing Pakistan cricket at the moment?

Wasim Khan: Purely from a playing perspective, there is a level of inconsistency when playing away from UAE, but I don't think Pakistan are alone in that and I think various countries face issues when they play abroad in alien conditions. However, being consistent on the field is something that we want Pakistan to be and we would also like them to climb up that ladder of the ICC Test rankings. We are right up there in terms of Twenty20 cricket rankings, but we want to be the leaders in all three formats and that has to be an aim. That is going to take a lot of work but there are great leaders and there's a great management team headed up under Mickey Arthur who I think is doing a brilliant job under some challenging circumstances. In terms of off-the-field areas, we need to ensure that we professionalise the PCB as much as possible. As I have said before, the priorities will be about getting systems and processes right, getting the people to do the right things and getting people focused, improving our communications and making sure we are on top of things like that. In general, the idea will be to look at how we can improve 20-30% in terms of how we operate and how we do things at the PCB.


PakPassion.net: Surely one of your priorities has to be the return of international cricket on a regular basis to Pakistan?

Wasim Khan: Yes, getting international cricket restored on Pakistan soil is a big priority. I've got some good relationships with cricket boards around the world and one of the key jobs working with Ehsan Mani will be to try and persuade countries to come and play in Pakistan. Clearly despite all the security measures that Pakistan has promised, there still seems to be some gaps in terms of the security which is not allowing the head of security of each of those countries to recommend they play in Pakistan. So, what I want to try and understand is what is currently missing from the security program that has been put in place or offered and then assess what we can do to close that gap and reassure the foreign sides that we have got everything in place to make their stay safe when they do come to Pakistan.

So, there will be a few small steps taken to get international sides to visit Pakistan but along the way, what I would also like to do is to bring over to Pakistan some County teams. There is a fantastic academy in Lahore with some great facilities and perhaps we need to start slowly and bring Counties over, so they have a fantastic experience and they then go away and say it was brilliant to go and play in Pakistan. There are a number of measures that I have got in mind to discuss with Ehsan and together I'm sure we will come up with a plan of how we tackle this issue. It will be very beneficial for Pakistan if we are successful in trying to bring a level of international cricket back to the country. This country of passionate people and passionate supporters of cricket has been starved of cricket but holding some of the PSL games in Pakistan is a great start. It would be great if we can also start getting some 'A' teams coming over to Pakistan with some international cricket being played here and have visits from some County teams as well. These are some of the areas that will be key performance indicators in terms of what success will look like in my tenure and this is something that I am really determined to try and change.


PakPassion.net: The Pakistan Super League has undoubtedly been a success so far, but what aspects of this tournament need to be improved upon?

Wasim Khan: I speak with a lot of cricket agents who have players involved in the PSL and they say it's one of the best organised Twenty20 competitions in the world which is fantastic and is a huge credit to the PCB for the way they have actually managed and run that competition. So, there are huge positives already in the type of work that has been done by the PCB in this regard. Of course, increasing the number of games in Pakistan year on year has to be a goal as now the PSL is built-up as a really good brand which can only keep on getting better and improving. Ultimately moving more and more games to Pakistan is a sign of success and getting international players coming over to Pakistan having a great experience and going away and telling the rest of the cricketing world that it's safe to go to Pakistan can only lead to more benefits for Pakistan cricket.


PakPassion.net: Pakistan is playing their home series in empty stadiums which must be really de-motivating for the players. Is UAE, as a home venue, something that you may look to change?

Wasim Khan: Playing in empty stadiums is definitely tough for Pakistan players. You have these guys who are at the top of their profession representing Pakistan and you want them to experience playing in front of full houses but because of circumstances, they are not able to do that. That is one of the factors that you want to add into the equation of trying to get cricket back into Pakistan along with so many other factors. But at the moment, UAE is the home of home series and that's the only real option we have got. But of course, playing in front of full houses falls under that remit of five or six things we will benefit from by having cricket back home in Pakistan. That is going to be our aim and I think it's really important that we focus on that.


PakPassion.net: Is it fair to say that you face a huge task in trying to change, modernise and improve domestic cricket in Pakistan?

Wasim Khan: When you look at the topic of the domestic cricket structure, you have to look at the whole of the infrastructure and that infrastructure includes pitches, training facilities, changing rooms and the wickets matches are played on. These all come under that remit and it's simply not just about changing that structure. The structure has to be underpinned by all of these other things that add value to a domestic structure and are important aspects of the equation. All these components are going to need to be looked at. We know that the current structure is steeped in tradition and history and it's not going to be easy and there is going to be change required, but ultimately where we want to get to is that we don't want to produce cricketers who play for Pakistan, we want to produce Pakistan cricketers. There is a subtle difference in these terms which means that each player coming through a competitive system is ultimately there to represent Pakistan and that's where you want to get to. You want everybody to buy into this vision and I think selling that idea and selling change to all the stakeholders is going to be critical. It's not going to be easy and there is going to be some resistance to change but remember, Pakistan is not the only country where that is an issue. If you look at any workforce or any work environment anywhere in the world once you are proposing change, people are immediately concerned and worried because the first thing they think about is what does this mean to me and what does it mean to what I am currently doing. So we have got to reassure them and work with them but ultimately we have to sell a vision that we are here as custodians of Pakistan cricket and we all have a role to play to make it the best in the world and that's going to be our aim.


PakPassion.net: The Pakistan Cricket Board doesn't seem to be flourishing when it comes to television rights deals or marketing its product. Is this an area you will want to improve upon?

Wasim Khan: Yes, that is absolutely an area of concern. I don't think it helps not having your home series in Pakistan. There is a lot to be said for that because you have got local markets as well as companies and marketing entities within Pakistan that would love to be able to advertise on television in the country when Pakistan is playing matches in Pakistan. I'm going to need to go in and have a look at how we are commercially set up and how do we maximise revenue, including what are we doing well and what are we doing not so well and also learn from what other countries are doing. I think with anything like this, there are so many areas that Pakistan could be better at but there are also so many areas that they are very good at, but it's about bench-marking and having a look at what others are doing and not to re-invent the wheel. The idea is to think about what others are doing and how can we apply that to our environment and improve what we are doing as well as to reconsider how we operate in general.

I think that in any foundation, for improvement, you have got to be honest about how you are currently operating and what you are doing and also what practices you can change. Until I get in there and get a real feel for the understanding of the mindset of how we are selling commercial propositions and how we are operating commercially, it's difficult for me to make a comment about that right now. Once I am in the environment, I will be better placed to start to make recommendations for change if that is what I feel we need to do. But it's like any other commercial venture, you really need to sell your product and sell what it is that you are about and that is certainly going to be part of my job, to make sure we can do that.


PakPassion.net: Despite the issues and problems, there is so much to love about Pakistan cricket isn't there?

Wasim Khan: You speak to anybody around the world and they love Pakistan cricket and the way Pakistanis play the game. The flamboyant style, the never-say-die attitude, there are so many fantastic characteristics of Pakistan cricket which have existed in the past and will always continue in the future. There is a rawness in the talent, which is untouched and untapped in so many ways. All of these things add to the ingredients of Pakistan cricket. So, there is so much to work with and what I am trying to do is to focus on all of the good things Pakistan cricket is doing and where we can improve. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the role and in the first 90-100 days learn as much as possible so that we can start to put plans in place for improving things.

I'm passionate about making the PCB the most respected cricket board in the world in the next few years. If that's an aim of ours, we can start to look at how we define that and to look at the things that we need to do to achieve this goal. What we need are people who are forward-thinking, people who are willing to change for the good and people who are going to get on the bus with us and want to move in the same direction. I know the culture is different and I know things operate in different ways but fundamentally improvement and getting better are universal objectives. I don't think anybody would disagree that there are things that could be better and that there are things that we should be doing better. As long as you have an open mindset as much as possible, then you can reassure people that we are doing things for the right reasons and we are moving in the right direction. People will then move with you and I think that is the most important thing.

I'm not here to operate as a dictator, my style is very collaborative, but we are also going to have to make some tough decisions if we are going to move PCB in the right direction and change the landscape of cricket in Pakistan and that is going to require work from a lot of people in the country. The cricket committee has been set up with some excellent people who will make recommendations and there is a good coaching infrastructure working with the national players at the moment. So, there are so many good things that are in place, but there may also be some things that we only need to tinker with. In addition, there might be some things where we need wholesale changes in and we may have some things in between. These are areas that, bit by bit, I will get the opportunity to look at and decide as to which of these things we need to do, and how quickly.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Sounds good.

 

[Jabo]

then you need to say bye to their former players now in the pcb who aren't looking out for pakistan cricket but for their own agendas

like having your nephew play in the team

 

[Fantasy]

Excellent interview and he touched on quite a few things that need an overall change and they need to make some changes quickly.

Apart from the obvious things his one of the plans is to get some county teams over to Pakistan. That is an excellent idea. Possibly in the early season I saw some county sides playing with some Windies team in WI and I think that is extremely good on two accounts.

Firstly, it is obviously a challenge for players and helpful in their development and for Pakistan’s cause it can help them build that reputation of being a safer country to play cricket in.

I will say not just some county sides get the domestic teams from other countries and possibly have a competition between the teams. What you can do with that is you can have reciprocal tours where you send your domestic teams as well to different countries and let your players experience that challenge of playing in different condition. It is going to be excellent for player developement and can be done.

Whether this model is commercially viable or not that needs to be seen and I understand there are certain challenges but what these boards can do is to mutually agree to bear the expenses when these teams tour to their country. Currently A team games are done exactlylike this where host board bears all the expenses.

Particularly happy he talked about getting the pitches right. One of the most detrimental factors for the stagnation of Pakistan players’ developemt is the condition of pitches they play on along with those outfields. That should be an absolute priority and needs to be looked into very seriously.

Other important things he needs to look into are:

1) The marketing of the domestic games(and international games) and competitions. This department is the worst I have ever seen anywhere.

2) Make domestic cricket more organised. When players are getting their uniforms 15 minutes before their first game shows you how organised the whole domestic cricket is. Last minutes commencement of comepetitions are a norm. Needs to chalk out the map or the calender for the whole season in advance so that players(and fans) can make plans prior.

3) Making sure there are more A games in the future regularly. They need to involve all those players in the setup who are knocking on the selectors’ doors. Give them that launchpad that they deserve.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Clear-minded is Wasim. Fantastic read.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Brilliant interview. Has the potential to revolutionise our cricket. What a coup to get such an intelligent and skilled individual.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Brilliant interview. Has the potential to revolutionise our cricket. What a coup to get such an intelligent and skilled individual.

We already have a revolutionary, don't need another one. If he can construct some sort of a transparent system, that would be great.

 

[Bewal Express]

Good luck to him, IA he succeeds.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Fantastic interview PP staff!

Great detailed answers from Wasim, can't disagree with anything he has said. Best of luck to him his new role and living in Pakistan.

 

[Abid Z]

Great interview. Many things he mentioned seem to be on a ten year timeline rather than his appointed 5 years but best of luck to him. He will need it. I wonder if our fans and general public will run out of patience after a couple of years. These systems and procedures take years to show tangible results. Obviously bringing international cricket back to Pakistan is out of pcb control, though yes he could upgrade security

 

[hamza119]

A nice interview has done. and we are all with you for success.

 

[Kaka4pope]

I do feel it is important for Pak that bilaterals with India resume - on India's term even, say a medium tour to India every 2/3 years. It would be an important and consistent yardstick for us - something on their test horizon - like Eng/Oz have for upcoming ashes.

India might not feel its an attractive proposition...they are an elite/better side, that is relatively cash rich. For us it would be really beneficial, and who knows, we might just show them up every once in a while...

 

[Saj]

A pleasure speaking with Wasim and many thanks for his time.

An intelligent man who has proved that he has the credentials to succeed at this sort of role in cricket.

He has clear ideas and plans for the PCB and wants the best for Pakistan cricket. The toughest part will be some people not accepting change, not willing to support him and some not willing to go give him a chance and instead be negative about everything he tries to implement.

However this guy is made of stern stuff and he knows what he will have to do to get the PCB and its people sorted.

 

[Markhor]

Wasim turned around a thoroughly mediocre county side in Leicestershire and got them back into the black which is no mean feat given the dire financial straits most counties are in.

His biggest challenge is empowering the regional associations whom we need to restructure our domestic cricket around like every other cricketing country does, and booting out the leeches within them.

 

[Kaka4pope]

I do feel it is important for Pak that bilaterals with India resume - on India's term even, say a medium tour to India every 2/3 years. It would be an important and consistent yardstick for us - something on their test horizon - like Eng/Oz have for upcoming ashes.

India might not feel its an attractive proposition...they are an elite/better side, that is relatively cash rich. For us it would be really beneficial, and who knows, we might just show them up every once in a while...

As well as the above, home series in Pakistan are a must, whatever it is possible to muster...and the games must be geared towards maximising attendance covering Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

If the big boys won't tour, at least ODI series or tri-series with Bangladesh, Afghanistan and West Indies - all three would be decent competition for us...

All the best to Wasim Khan, will be rooting for him.

 

[mak36]

Brilliant appointment. After a rocky start, the PCB have made some very good decisions recently.

It is a little worrying Nauman Niaz was part of the shortist, but I assume/hope that was a smart ploy by the PCB to keep the yes-men quiet.

 

[Destroyer88]

A pleasure speaking with Wasim and many thanks for his time.

An intelligent man who has proved that he has the credentials to succeed at this sort of role in cricket.

He has clear ideas and plans for the PCB and wants the best for Pakistan cricket. The toughest part will be some people not accepting change, not willing to support him and some not willing to go give him a chance and instead be negative about everything he tries to implement.

However this guy is made of stern stuff and he knows what he will have to do to get the PCB and its people sorted.

I seriouly hope if he can bring his professional and a no nonsense attitude to this otherwise worthless cricket board who have made blunder after blunder. I hope he isnt one of them who takes a fat paycheck like our current coaching staff and do bugger all. Accountability of all se ior management needs to start

 

[Hasan123]

This could be a masterstroke from the PCB. Hopefully he is allowed to do what he says to improve Pakistan cricket.

 

[Abdul Moiz]

Good appointment, Hoping to see that other posts in PCB are professionalise as well.

 

[Saj]

Wasim has got a huge job on his hands, a job that will not be made easy by most of the Pakistani media who are already gunning for him.

In the past few weeks he will have seen what a debacle Pakistan cricket actually is.

 

[Savak]

Wasim has got a huge job on his hands, a job that will not be made easy by most of the Pakistani media who are already gunning for him.

In the past few weeks he will have seen what a debacle Pakistan cricket actually is.

Lets not burden the poor guy with excess expectations. The problems in Pakistan Cricket are not quick fix.

If Wasim Khan runs the board on a day to day basis. Then what will Ehsan Mani's role be as PCB Chairman?

 

[MenInG]

Hope this business of showing up a few days before a series like one in South Africa will also be addressed. Lack of preparation for tours in a huge problem

 

[Boi]

Boy he's got his work cut out lol.

 

[gazza619]

Hoping for a fresh, new and professional approach

 

[MenInG]

From PCB:

Mr. Wasim Khan on Tuesday assumed the charge of PCB Managing Director.

 

[Billa86]

Looking forward to Waseem's tenure....

 

[Pete Rose]

From PCB:

Mr. Wasim Khan on Tuesday assumed the charge of PCB Managing Director.

View attachment 87674

Will send him show cause notice for being less than a 105 years old.

 

[Savak]

From PCB:

Mr. Wasim Khan on Tuesday assumed the charge of PCB Managing Director.

View attachment 87674

This pic looks photoshopped. I heard he and Ehsan Mani were going to do a joint press conference today. Did they change their plans?

 

[Abdullah719]

This pic looks photoshopped. I heard he and Ehsan Mani were going to do a joint press conference today. Did they change their plans?

The presser is on 10th Feb.

 

[We Bleed Green]

We wish you all the best.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

He is no match for the vultures that circle around PCB. They will eat him alive and spit him out - like they have done to many an ambitious man.

I give him 9 months.

 

[Bewal Express]

The ex Cricketers​ are hoping​ that he fails so that the unprofessional board and gravy train continue

 

[Syed1]

Wasim bhai can you start by sacking garbage Inzi...

 

[Syed1]

He is no match for the vultures that circle around PCB. They will eat him alive and spit him out - like they have done to many an ambitious man.

I give him 9 months.

The same was said for IK when he first entered politics.



"Demons run when a good man goes to war. "

 

[Abdullah719]

From PCB - Wasim Khan (profile)

· Wasim is a holder of Masters Degree from the world renowned Warwick Business School

· Wasim became the first British-born Pakistani to be awarded a professional contract when he signed for Warwickshire in 1995

· Wasim also played for Sussex and Derbyshire and ended his six-year first-class career with 58 first-class and 2,835 runs; scoring five hundreds and 19 fifties with a highest score of 181.

· Wasim became Leicestershire CCC CEO in 2015 and in doing so became the first South Asian CEO in the history of first class cricket in England.

· During his four-year tenure time, Leicestershire CCC achieved most of its five-year Business Plan objectives. These included recording three successive years of net profits following years of losses, spearheading infrastructure development, organizational change programme and hosting ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 matches (Pakistan v India fixture included)

· Wasim was one of the leaders who led the project to drive British Asians into English cricket

· He was the only CEO of black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) heritage at any professional sports club in the country

· In addition to his administrative roles within cricket, Wasim also sat on the Equality & Human Rights Commission Sports Group, The Prince's Trust Cricket Group and the Board of Sport England.

· Wasim’s autobiography ‘Brim Full of Passion’ won the Wisden Book of the Year in 2006

· Wasim, as CEO, developed and ranChance to Shine, a £50 scheme get to cricket into schools. After 9 years, 55 million pounds had been raised and 2.5 million girls (including 1 million girls) had been engaged across 9,000 state run schools.

· In April 2018, Wasim was appointed chair of the ECB’s Men’s Domestic Playing Programme Group, with the goal ofrestructuring the domestic game from 2020. All recommendations were adopted by the ECB Board.

· Wasim was one of the favourite’s to be appointed Managing Director of the England cricket team following Andrew Strauss’s resignation.

· Wasim was recently named in the Parliamentary Review Muslim 100 Power List

· In 2013, Wasim was awarded MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services to cricket and communities.

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Managing Director (MD) Wasim Khan has said that stern decisions have to be taken for the betterment of Pakistan Cricket.

While speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, Khan was of the opinion that sports and politics should be kept separate.

He also talked about the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) blackout in India and said that Pakistan will prioritize its own interests at all forums.

“PSL was blacked out in India. We will prioritize our interests as far as cricket relations with India are concerned. We are ready for anything India does in the International Cricket Council (ICC),” said Wasim. “We will look at the interests of Pakistan in all matters above all else.”

Khan was hopeful for a Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan in the near future. He elaborated that the return of international cricket to Pakistan was of the highest priority.

“We are striving to make an international tour by Sri Lanka team to Pakistan possible. We are hopeful it will go through,” he said. “The return of international cricket is our first priority. We should look ahead and not to the past.”

Talking about the Pakistan Women’s team, he told reporters that the new batting coach will be local. He also said that the PCB was scouting for venues for the next edition of HBL PSL, which will be held entirely in Pakistan.

“We are going to hire a batting coach for the women’s team. The batting coach will not be foreign as preference will be given to local coaches,” he said. “We will be looking at Rawalpindi amongst other cities as possible destinations for PSL in the next edition.”

Khan said the entire world now realized that Pakistan can provide adequate security for foreign teams after the success of the PSL.

“The whole world has witnessed the security provided by Pakistan. Everyone has praised the security and facilities that we provided,” he concluded.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/p...g-to-take-stern-decision-for-pakistan-cricket

 

[shaaik]

Every attack on Pak cricket to be replied strongly: Waseem

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) Managing Director Waseem Khan has said that if anyone tries to sabotage Pakistan cricket, the PCB will retaliate with full force.

Talking to The Nation, Waseem said: “I have accepted PCB job with a mission, not to take it as a job for lifetime. The BCCI must understand that Pakistan is a peaceful and sports-loving nation. But let me clear that if anyone tries to sabotage Pakistan cricket, just because they think they are the majority funds provider, we won’t accept monopoly and will retaliate with full force.”

He said, “The way eight PSL-4 matches were conducted in Karachi in the presence of international stars and the way the masses turned in huge numbers, it is a clear indication that Pakistan is ready to host international cricket. The time is ripe when the ICC must allocate international matches and allow Pakistan to host bilateral series with all the test-playing nations. “No one can deny Pakistan the right of hosting international events. Now the things are far better and people of this great nation deserve just and better treatment.”

He said he has taken over the PCB Managing Director slot just six weeks back. “We were busy in PSL and only after two days, I decided to visit each and every venue to check the condition and facilities of the grounds and also trying to gradually improve the basic infrastructure of domestic cricket in Pakistan.

He rubbished the claims that regions are going to be abolished. “We will take all stakeholders onboard. Pakistan cricket is living in 80s as there is no such system exists where 32 teams are playing in domestic cricket. We need to bring changes and take drastic steps to take Pakistan cricket at par to international standards. We have introduced young women team selection committee and it is clear indication that we want to work on modern lines and provide opportunities to those who have served Pakistan cricket in different capacities.

“I welcome positive criticism and will never ask sports journalists to hide facts, but they must also understand that they need to publish positives about Pakistan cricket. I am never afraid of speaking truth and I am here to contribute towards Pakistan cricket, otherwise, I had better offers in UK and could have earned much more.”

He said there is a dire need to prepare pitches suitable for batsmen and bowlers. Pakistan has not produced batsmen for last two years and we need top quality batsmen, who may handle the pressure and deliver at the time of need.

About PSL matches in Pakistan, he said: “We are working on holding maximum matches in Pakistan. Besides Karachi and Lahore, we will also try to host next edition’s matches at Pindi Stadium, which is a historic venue. “Rawalpindi produced a lot of players and we appreciate that, while Islamabad cricket is excellent and grounds are very good. I will soon visit all the cricket grounds of the federal capital and try to convince PSL management to hold PSL-5 match(es) at Pindi Stadium as well.”

He said, “Like witnessed in the past, we could have appointed a foreign coach for Pakistan women team, but we have decided to give chance to a local coach. My main focus will be improving women cricket, work on grassroots level and ensure international matches to be held in Pakistan. I will use all my good offices to convince Sri Lankan Board to play matches in Pakistan and hopefully, they will tour the country this year.”

About Asif Ali’s ailing daughter, he said the PCB has a benefit fund and he has visited Asif Ali house in Faisalabad the other day. “I will request PCB chairman Ehsan Mani to extend the best possible help to Asif and others, who need PCB help.”

https://nation.com.pk/22-Mar-2019/every-attack-on-pak-cricket-to-be-replied-strongly-waseem

 

[Shafi]

When you will replace Inzamam with an honest and decent selector?

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Cricket Board’s Managing Director Waseem Khan has promised to take up the Islamabad cricket grounds illegal occupation by MCI/CDA issue with Prime Minister Imran Khan and assured his all out help in resolving the issue.

Talking to The Nation on Friday, Waseem said: “I am here to improve Pakistan cricket and domestic cricket is my top most priority. I am highly satisfied with the fantastic arrangements, the best pitch, and the excellent view at Diamond cricket ground. I had visited Diamond twice and I will soon visit other cricket grounds of the federal capital. Cricket can’t flourish without quality cricket grounds and I know Islamabad is the hub of cricket in Pakistan and cricket events being held in Islamabad around the year, which is very good for youngsters.”

He said women cricket would be given top most priority and head coach Mark Coles and his team are doing very good job.

“Pakistan women cricket is on the rise and let me assure all the up and coming women players, that PCB will invest heavily in them and make sure they get the best facilities, international matches and I can’t see any reason why Pakistani women can’t win a world cup or major ICC event in next 5 to 10 years time.”

“We had a very positive meeting with PM regarding domestic cricket. It is unfortunate that HBL has closed down their cricket team, which is their personal decision but we will ensure cricketers will get money through playing cricket and won’t let them suffer. The PM’s vision is that six provincial teams play domestic cricket and we are working on that lines.”

When asked about first class season is approaching fast when they would be able to finalise the new domestic structure, Waseem replied the domestic season starts in October and he was sure by that time, they will be able to finalise things .

When asked about selectors dropped Umar Akmal and Wahab Riaz from the initial World Cup list sighting fitness issues, Waseem said the chief selector and Micky Arhtur both had made it clear that players had to follow fitness rules. But there is still time left, as Pakistan cricket team has to play around 11 matches before the World Cup starts.”

When asked about PM wants Australian model in domestic cricket where clubs are the nursery of providing youngsters, while in Pakistan clubs cricket doesn’t exist, Waseem said: “I am not sitting in the office as I am visiting different cities like Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Karachi and I know the flaws and I have the solution as well. I won’t sit back in the office and enjoy, I will work in the field and once again let me assure all, I have accepted this role as a challenge and I will utilise all my energies to improve Pakistan cricket from grassroots level to clubs. Pakistan is blessed with immense amount of natural raw talent the only need is to provide that talent a platform where they could nourish their skills and represent country.”

“I have focused on different ideas, different areas and will meet with former greats and all those, who in any capacity can help Pakistan cricket and we are here to deliver and my basic mission is to take Pakistan cricket to next levels and it is by no means day-dreaming or impossible task. My office doors are open for all. Anybody who wants to meet me should feel free and discuss with me. I will take up all the issues with PM as he has put all his weight behind the PCB.

The regions must run the cricket grounds, like PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani had mentioned recently. I will personally visit not only Islamabad cricket grounds, but other grounds of the country as well where there are issues, as we can’t sit back and allow non-cricketers to play with the future of the country,” Waseem concluded.

https://nation.com.pk/06-Apr-2019/w...ke-up-islamabad-cricket-grounds-issue-with-pm

 

[Shafi]

I have focused on different ideas, different areas and will meet with former greats
Stay at least 500 meters from our Former Greats if you really want to do something for our cricket.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I have focused on different ideas, different areas and will meet with former greats
Stay at least 500 meters from our Former Greats if you really want to do something for our cricket.

One of the best advice he can get. "Former Greats" havent done much for Pakistan cricket after their retirement rather have hurt Pakistan in some ways. Better would be to talk to "Former Unknown Players" like Mohammad Wasim.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wasim Khan speaks Urdu and Punjabi. His wife is from Pakistan. He and his family have been huge supporters of Pakistan cricket over the years. Sad but predictable that some see him as an outsider and aren't willing to give him a chance as PCB MD <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1118557043013632003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

I admire Wasim Khan in what he is trying to do and achieve, but the truth is that he is fighting a losing battle.

You can take the horse to water, but you can't make him drink the water and that is exactly the situation with some of these PCB dinosaurs.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Cricket Board Managing Director (MD) Waseem Khan will leave for UK in the wee hours of Sunday morning to hold important discussions with England and Wales Cricket Board and discuss highly important issues related to Pakistan cricket future.

Talking exclusively to The Nation on Saturday, Waseem said: “I will stay there till May 15th. I will witness one T20 and two Odis of Pakistan while I will also hold meetings with three different counties regarding exchange programme for our youth and also for our coaches. Our batsmen in between 18 to 21 age category need to get exposure in English conditions.”

He said he would also hold meetings regarding joint broadcasting rights with top cricket playing nations like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England as PCB’s broadcasting contracts would be over early next year.

“We need to come up with a joint plan and to ensure better contract for Pakistan cricket. I am highly confident that my meeting with ECB along with Chairman Ehsan Mani will be highly productive and we will be able to pursue ECB to send not only England Lions, U-19 and other development squads to Pakistan for playing matches but also an MCC XI, as MCC holds highly important position in Britain and we want to include 4 to 5 British players of Pakistani origin in the touring squad. Great Mushtaq Muhammad is also residing in UK and we want him to be manager of the touring MCC team. The tour would be of great significance for Pakistan cricket.”

“If we manage to get English counties agree to invite Pakistani youngsters, especially the batsmen, it would be a great help for the future of Pakistani batsmen and we want to ensure our domestic coaches get knowledge of how to plan big matches. They will learn new techniques and it will definitely help our coaches to know how to make plans in fast changing situations. I am confident enough that our meetings will have long-lasting impact and our youngsters will learn a great deal. We have also planned to send our top batsmen to Australia before the scheduled series against the Aussie in November as our batsmen struggle to adapt to the seeming conditions in Australia.”

He said he has a clear plan how to take Pakistan cricket forward and was not bothered about what is cooking outside the ground.

He said he had accepted the PCB MD slot as an challenge and he was here to help Pakistan cricket, not to fulfil personal ambitions or just sit in the offices and enjoy joy-rides and his basic and utmost priority is to work tirelessly to help Pakistan cricket flourish in the years to come.

“I am not only focussed on men’s cricket, I will carry women cricket with same passion. I will work on domestic cricket structure as well and will give top most importance to the junior and grassroots level cricket. The conspirators don’t know me and my ambitions. I am not worried at all by the hurdles that will come in my way as when I accepted the offer, I was aware about the tactics and situations I had to face. But I am prepared and let me tell all that only those, who want to contribute towards Pakistan and cricket are going to stay and let me assure all those, who have the guts and desire to work for national cause must feel comfortable. But those, who think they can blackmail the PCB or me by using dirty tactics and would apply unwanted pressure on me they are quite mistaken.”

“Pakistan is blessed with immense amount of natural raw talent, we need to detect that talent, take them to National Cricket Academy (NCA) groom them and turn them into the best in the business and it is not a rocket science to turn around the fortunes of Pakistan cricket. The next few months are highly crucial and important for Pakistan cricket and we all have to work jointly to achieve new goals. My doors are always open for positive suggestions. I will respond in truly positive fashion as I want to help Pakistan cricket and will deliver by the grace of Almighty,” Waseem concluded.

https://nation.com.pk/28-Apr-2019/pcb-md-to-hold-talks-for-english-team-s-tour-to-pakistan

 

[trickyone]

Pakistan Cricket Board Managing Director (MD) Waseem Khan will leave for UK in the wee hours of Sunday morning to hold important discussions with England and Wales Cricket Board and discuss highly important issues related to Pakistan cricket future.

Talking exclusively to The Nation on Saturday, Waseem said: “I will stay there till May 15th. I will witness one T20 and two Odis of Pakistan while I will also hold meetings with three different counties regarding exchange programme for our youth and also for our coaches. Our batsmen in between 18 to 21 age category need to get exposure in English conditions.”

He said he would also hold meetings regarding joint broadcasting rights with top cricket playing nations like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England as PCB’s broadcasting contracts would be over early next year.

“We need to come up with a joint plan and to ensure better contract for Pakistan cricket. I am highly confident that my meeting with ECB along with Chairman Ehsan Mani will be highly productive and we will be able to pursue ECB to send not only England Lions, U-19 and other development squads to Pakistan for playing matches but also an MCC XI, as MCC holds highly important position in Britain and we want to include 4 to 5 British players of Pakistani origin in the touring squad. Great Mushtaq Muhammad is also residing in UK and we want him to be manager of the touring MCC team. The tour would be of great significance for Pakistan cricket.”

“If we manage to get English counties agree to invite Pakistani youngsters, especially the batsmen, it would be a great help for the future of Pakistani batsmen and we want to ensure our domestic coaches get knowledge of how to plan big matches. They will learn new techniques and it will definitely help our coaches to know how to make plans in fast changing situations. I am confident enough that our meetings will have long-lasting impact and our youngsters will learn a great deal. We have also planned to send our top batsmen to Australia before the scheduled series against the Aussie in November as our batsmen struggle to adapt to the seeming conditions in Australia.”

He said he has a clear plan how to take Pakistan cricket forward and was not bothered about what is cooking outside the ground.

He said he had accepted the PCB MD slot as an challenge and he was here to help Pakistan cricket, not to fulfil personal ambitions or just sit in the offices and enjoy joy-rides and his basic and utmost priority is to work tirelessly to help Pakistan cricket flourish in the years to come.

“I am not only focussed on men’s cricket, I will carry women cricket with same passion. I will work on domestic cricket structure as well and will give top most importance to the junior and grassroots level cricket. The conspirators don’t know me and my ambitions. I am not worried at all by the hurdles that will come in my way as when I accepted the offer, I was aware about the tactics and situations I had to face. But I am prepared and let me tell all that only those, who want to contribute towards Pakistan and cricket are going to stay and let me assure all those, who have the guts and desire to work for national cause must feel comfortable. But those, who think they can blackmail the PCB or me by using dirty tactics and would apply unwanted pressure on me they are quite mistaken.”

“Pakistan is blessed with immense amount of natural raw talent, we need to detect that talent, take them to National Cricket Academy (NCA) groom them and turn them into the best in the business and it is not a rocket science to turn around the fortunes of Pakistan cricket. The next few months are highly crucial and important for Pakistan cricket and we all have to work jointly to achieve new goals. My doors are always open for positive suggestions. I will respond in truly positive fashion as I want to help Pakistan cricket and will deliver by the grace of Almighty,” Waseem concluded.

https://nation.com.pk/28-Apr-2019/pcb-md-to-hold-talks-for-english-team-s-tour-to-pakistan

Wow, finally someone with a clear plan...

 

[Mueez]

Wasim Khan is honest and man with a clear vision.

But will the PCB mafia allow him to do these things?

 

[Theo_14]

If Wasim Khan pulls this off then wow wow. This will take the development phases to another level.

I mentioned in the Mir Hamza Sussex thread that IF likes lf England/Australia are not willing to tour Pakistan then we should propose to be their “affiliate team.” What this means is that we offer our promising players to them and they sign these players on loan; but we must add a clause in there in which they cannot offer permanent contracts; we cannot afford a case like Duanne Oliver.

This will benefit us, as our players are getting the exposure and will benefit Aus/England too.

 

[saeed5646]

amazing idea and thinking .hopefully he will succeeded in his plans

 

[cricf@n]

Mr Waseem Khan please try to get genuine kit sponsor for pakistan cricket team such as Adidas,Puma,Nike or NB

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Managing Director Waseem Khan looks highly positive about his meetings with different English Counties and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison and says cricket-mad Pakistani fans will soon hear a number of good news and witness great international cricketing activities at home grounds.

In an interview with The Nation, Waseem said: “PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and I have wonderful meetings with ECB CEO Tom Harrison, who will visit Pakistan in next three to four months. Pakistan and England are scheduled to play series in 2021-2022, but the ECB CEO is keen to travel to Pakistan and discuss in detail about the series.

“This is big news and very positive breakthrough, as his visit will open a new chapter of PCB and ECB relations. I also have great meetings with Cricket Australia’s chairman Earl Eddings and chief executive Kevin Roberts. They are also going to visit Pakistan in next few months. The things are moving in right direction and hopefully, the long-suffering Pakistani fans will be able to watch top international cricket teams and players playing in front of their own grounds.”

Waseem said: “I stayed for almost two weeks in England, met with different personalities and pleaded Pakistan cricket case. During my meetings with Warwickshire and Glamorgan counties regarding exchange programmes between Pakistani players and coaches, they have shown keen interest and we will soon prepare proposal in this regard. They will operate in academies there to gain experience.

“The exchange programme will not only benefit Pakistani youngsters, coaches and umpires, but also provide great help to both the counties. I have very constructive meeting with MCC and extended them invitation to bring a team to Pakistan to play matches here while they responded positively and promised to help Pakistan cricket next year. They are likely to tour in March next year,” he added.

About domestic cricket, the PCB Managing Director said: “We are moving forward for change in domestic cricket format and soon changes will be witnessed. We want to make Pakistan domestic cricket at par to any other top cricket-playing nation’s structure as without working on drastic changes in Pakistan domestic set up, we are not going to get even ordinary results.

“We need to introduce changes and have to work on modern lines as without working on domestic cricket, we won’t be able to compete against others. We will introduce model, which will not only revamp domestic structure, but also helpful in providing national team a number of players in near future,” he added.

Waseem said: “It is also decided to send Pakistan Under-19 cricket team to Sri Lanka to play five 50-over-aside matches starting from May 26 to June 5. It is revised schedule after bombings in Sri Lanka. We have received assurances from Sri Lanka and subject to security clearance. It is good for us as we are showing solidarity to Sri Lanka cricket and people of Sri Lanka. We also suffered terrorism and still suffering from it menace.

“Sri Lankan team has to tour Pakistan in September-October. We enjoy very cordial relations with Sri Lanka and we want to help them and expect the same from them. They always supported Pakistan cricket and hopefully, they will have a very successful tour of Pakistan.”

He said that it is high time when the international teams should feel safe and visit to Pakistan to play matches. “Pakistani people are famous for their love, respect and hospitality for their guests. The next few months are very crucial for Pakistan cricket as a number of important personalities are coming to Pakistan within next few months and the long-suffering Pakistan cricket fans will be witnessing a lot of festivity,” Waseem concluded.

https://nation.com.pk/17-May-2019/ecb-ca-to-help-pakistan-in-int-l-cricket-revival-waseem

 

[topspin]

Wasim Khan is honest and man with a clear vision.

But will the PCB mafia allow him to do these things?

Doesn't seem like it with the current BoG

 

[the Great Khan]

Doesn't seem like it with the current BoG

on the contray I listened to his interview with the BBC on test match special. i reccommend everyone listen to it. He goes into reasonable detail about the domestic structure and whats going on.

he isnt going anywhere. The BOG are going to get a shock as he has already met with imran Khan who is taking a keen interest in what is going on.

To summarise he said teh domestic structure will reduce the main teams to 6 regional teams and the players will also be reduced meaning that only the cream of teh crop will be selected for the core domestic competition. they will then have a tier two competition which will be below the main one and the bulk of the other players will ply their trade here. They will also have a city based competition too and then club, school and university leagues. They are doing a root and branch re-org.

IK is fully involved so the BOG better be careful lest NAB start sniffing around into their past accounts and dealings. this is happening and he is staying.

Also he spoke about bringing cricket to Pakistan and he spoke about the lanka stuff. They have not started negotiations yet but will be looking for the lankans to support them. He said they are hopeful as it costs millions to stage the UAE series and that money could be spent on the domestic structure.

The plan is to play all 20 odd games of teh PSL in 2020 in pakistan. Rawalpindi will be getting an upgrade. Multan also. So the venues will probably be pindi lahore karachi and Multan. They have promised presidential security for everyone and when asked if this was stifling he said initially it will have to be this way as perception needs to change. hence in other words , tough. Dont complain about security then. We will lock down everything if we have to. That was the message i got.

He also said he will be talking to the ECB (and seeing the article above he has done so.). This regime is not messing around. The BOG will soon find out..

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Top officials of Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are visiting Pakistan in the next couple of months to discuss bilateral relations including resuming of international cricket in the country.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) managing director Wasim Khan told Dawn here on Thursday that while CA chairman Earl Eddings and chief exective Kevin Roberts are scheduled to visit Pakistan in July, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison is expected in August.

“Of course the main focus of the PCB in discussions with these officials will be to convince them to send their teams to play international cricket in Pakistan,” Wasim said. “England have to play Pakistan in 2021-22 and Australia in July 2022 and it is right time to start the negotiations with them to come and play in Pakistan instead of in UAE.”

Wasim further said he along with PCB chairman Ehsan Mani would be in Singapore on May 26 to attend ICC meeting there and on its sidelines, negotiations would be held with the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) t to come to Pakistan and play upcoming series scheduled for September to October this year.

He said they were in similar talks with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) chief executive over it sending a team to play some matches in Pakistan next year.

Moreover, Wasim, who recently returned home after visiting England said he had started negotiations with the ECB on exchange programme under which, Pakistan’s top-ranked domestic umpires, coaches and Under-19 players would get opportunities to hone their skills by performing at the Second XI County Championship in England.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1482731/c...tan-discuss-resumption-of-cricket-says-pcb-md

 

[silentkiller187]

ive actually had the pleasure to meet and discuss various topics with this guy when he was starting out as director or warwickshire. The old fogeys that have been clinging onto corporate jobs without doing anywork in the PCB are in for a major surprise, this guy is very professional, no more free rides.

 

[Shafi]

Wasim Khan needs to be held accountable for his actions!!

The title says it all.
This guy is all talk but yet to deliver anything significant for the betterment of Pakistan Cricket. Its nearly a year but most of his decision is either copy from others.
One example is the coach selection process. Choose Misbah in the selection panel who then sack the present coach and let him be a super coach (Batting coach, head coach, chief selector) without have any local experience or meet the criteria. We people can blame Misbah as much as we want but Wasim Khan is the main person behind his selection.

He needs to be held accountable for his action in order to save our cricket. Your opinion please!!!

 

[aukhan]

He is clueless and shameless. Don't expect him to resign.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

The title says it all.
This guy is all talk but yet to deliver anything significant for the betterment of Pakistan Cricket. Its nearly a year but most of his decision is either copy from others.
One example is the coach selection process. Choose Misbah in the selection panel who then sack the present coach and let him be a super coach (Batting coach, head coach, chief selector) without have any local experience or meet the criteria. We people can blame Misbah as much as we want but Wasim Khan is the main person behind his selection.

He needs to be held accountable for his action in order to save our cricket. Your opinion please!!!

He is all hype till now.
By appointing Misbah for 3 important roles he has pushed our cricket 5 years back.

 

[Mamoon]

England saved its future by getting rid of him. He would have ruined English cricket.

 

[superman]

England saved its future by getting rid of him. He would have ruined English cricket.

Well we did the same for our LOI team by getting rid of misbah but now we have both nalayaks at the helm

 

[shah_1]

Wasim appointing Misbah has been the biggest disaster for Pakistan cricket

Utterly clueless CEO

 

[Mamoon]

We were told that he has a stellar reputation in the English cricket setup and was valued very highly.

If that were true, I wonder why none of the coaches in the County cricket applied for the Pakistan coaching rule under his leadership?

Apparently he chose Misbah because there were no alternatives. It seems that none of the coaches in England thought that getting an international job and working under the highly rated member of ECB was a good idea.

I think we got conned big time. He didn’t see a big future in ECB and played the “I left England to help Pakistan” card to secure a massive paycheck here.

 

[WengerOut]

I am surprised that the buck for poor performance of team stops at Waseem. Why not Imran who appointed him?

 

[Kroll]

Yeah, really professional so far.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Misbah's appointment as head coach + selector summed up your professionalism.

and if I remember the ad for Head Coach had some sort of coaching lvl training requirement and I think it was either too low or that they just hired Misbah and put the requirement aside.

 

[MMHS]

We were told that he has a stellar reputation in the English cricket setup and was valued very highly.

If that were true, I wonder why none of the coaches in the County cricket applied for the Pakistan coaching rule under his leadership?

Apparently he chose Misbah because there were no alternatives. It seems that none of the coaches in England thought that getting an international job and working under the highly rated member of ECB was a good idea.

I think we got conned big time. He didn’t see a big future in ECB and played the “I left England to help Pakistan” card to secure a massive paycheck here.

Keeping other issues aside - PP & PAK cricket gradually will realise actually in which hole PAK cricket has gone down in last 2 decades, that including the overselling of a rubbish called T20 franchise cricket - just wait and see, but that’s separate discussion for sometimes later, for now I can explain why Misbah & why no reputed Coach applied.

Any decent person with self respect would be disgusted with the way qualified foreign coaches are treated by PCB, PAK media and their former players. People like Lawson, Rixon, Arthur didn’t deserve as such ... and there is a massive entitlement among former PAK players with an unworthy arrogance, when it comes to cricket coach - outcome is calling names and constantly humiliating reputed international coaches. Some of their self boasting bravado should be national embarrassment, for Pakistanis related to cricket and mixing with people from other part of world.

I am sure and this one I can say with confidence - Wasim Khan was disgusted trying to protect, justifying the foreigners, finally decided to bend finger, went for the last resort - exposing the unworthy arrogance. The ad that came out for head coach had two clues for me (you can check my post then & then) - PCB is looking for a local hero and PCB is discouraging qualified foreigners to apply. Over a decade now in professional career in international positions - even now I can read the job description and tell for which one to apply and which one is for statuary requirement (incumbent is already fixed).

No reputed international coach will apply for a head coach's job that required Level 2 certification (that too not defined from where - even Rashid Khan’s academy gives coaching certifications). And, recently, PCB has advertised for spin bowling coach - requirement is level 3 ..... it’s cant be be ignorance for the part of Wasim Khan therefore, for sure.

I think, it was required - next time when PCB will appoint their coach, we’ll hear less barking, if there is an iota of shame & self respect left there.

 

[Shafi]

This guy is all talk but no action. Don't know is IK is really that dumb to fall this guy's sweet talks? So far his actions do not even justify top position in a 2nd division club.
Apart from that his coaching advertise process also look copy paste from other organization.

 

[Shafi]

@ MMHS, Misbah has support from all corners of local desi legends so he can get away 3-4 years. not sure under Misbah we can qualify for 2023 World Cup.

 

[Mamoon]

Keeping other issues aside - PP & PAK cricket gradually will realise actually in which hole PAK cricket has gone down in last 2 decades, that including the overselling of a rubbish called T20 franchise cricket - just wait and see, but that’s separate discussion for sometimes later, for now I can explain why Misbah & why no reputed Coach applied.

Any decent person with self respect would be disgusted with the way qualified foreign coaches are treated by PCB, PAK media and their former players. People like Lawson, Rixon, Arthur didn’t deserve as such ... and there is a massive entitlement among former PAK players with an unworthy arrogance, when it comes to cricket coach - outcome is calling names and constantly humiliating reputed international coaches. Some of their self boasting bravado should be national embarrassment, for Pakistanis related to cricket and mixing with people from other part of world.

I am sure and this one I can say with confidence - Wasim Khan was disgusted trying to protect, justifying the foreigners, finally decided to bend finger, went for the last resort - exposing the unworthy arrogance. The ad that came out for head coach had two clues for me (you can check my post then & then) - PCB is looking for a local hero and PCB is discouraging qualified foreigners to apply. Over a decade now in professional career in international positions - even now I can read the job description and tell for which one to apply and which one is for statuary requirement (incumbent is already fixed).

No reputed international coach will apply for a head coach's job that required Level 2 certification (that too not defined from where - even Rashid Khan’s academy gives coaching certifications). And, recently, PCB has advertised for spin bowling coach - requirement is level 3 ..... it’s cant be be ignorance for the part of Wasim Khan therefore, for sure.

I think, it was required - next time when PCB will appoint their coach, we’ll hear less barking, if there is an iota of shame & self respect left there.

But this was the professionalism that he was supposed to bring. What purpose does he now serve if all it took was a few months for him to succumb to the existing culture of PCB?

As an employer, PCB has a terrible reputation. However, it seems that the appointment of Wasim has done nothing to change that reputation even in English cricket circles where he was supposed to be greatly valued.

 

[Abdullah719]

We were told that he has a stellar reputation in the English cricket setup and was valued very highly.

If that were true, I wonder why none of the coaches in the County cricket applied for the Pakistan coaching rule under his leadership?

Apparently he chose Misbah because there were no alternatives. It seems that none of the coaches in England thought that getting an international job and working under the highly rated member of ECB was a good idea.

I think we got conned big time. He didn’t see a big future in ECB and played the “I left England to help Pakistan” card to secure a massive paycheck here.

Maybe because the pay is not good enough for them and they don't want to spend many months of the year in Pakistan?

Wasim Khan isn't a magician that coaches are just going to see him and line up at PCB's doors begging to be Head Coach.

But the thing for PCB to do would've been to identify some candidates and try and get them on board and then choose the best. By basically identifying Misbah first then putting up a half-hearted public advertisement, the process was compromised. Even if Misbah was the best of the available options (don't rate Deano too highly either).

 

[Syed1]

This guy is just a big mouth with zero action..... baatien karwalo bus. Pakistanis fell for his British accent.

 

[Markhor]

Let's face it, the Pakistan coach position is not a lucrative or attractive proposition to most international coaches.

A track record of a revolving door of coaches, a poisonous media full of bitter ex-players with axes to grind, and the idea of being imprisoned in the NCA with little freedom to move about meant even this "new and improved" PCB could not attract quality candidates back in the summer.

They were left with a choice of two coaches in Misbah and Dean Jones who have ZERO international coaching experience, or retaining Mickey for another year until other names became available.

However PCB crumbled like a dessert in the face of the ex-player mafia who had their knives out for a foreigner in Mickey from Day 1, and appointed Misbah and Waqar to appease the gallery. How's those local appointments working out ?

 

[MMHS]

But this was the professionalism that he was supposed to bring. What purpose does he now serve if all it took was a few months for him to succumb to the existing culture of PCB?

As an employer, PCB has a terrible reputation. However, it seems that the appointment of Wasim has done nothing to change that reputation even in English cricket circles where he was supposed to be greatly valued.

He did bring lots of changes, trust me. But, things went so low that it’ll take time - just like PAK team will need at least a decade to recover the free fall of last two decades.

Also, you are judging him from short term focus, something that has brought PAK to this level, just not in cricket I must say. He is trying to build an institution of PCB that was run like a hog house. Decentralised power, empowerment of people outside the PCB HQ is the first step. Obviously in current political environment, it’s not easy to bring sanity in PCB, a golden egg lying goose that still pouring foreign buck in an economy that shows -3.5 GDP growth this year & an exchange rate that has hyper inflated - imagine the people involved in the gravy train of PAK cricket enjoying green bills that converts at 160 rate - why these people will release their death bite on PAK cricket so easily?

I read lot about his salary - guy is underpaid, trust me - it’s not his fault that his wage is converted at 160 rate and people compare that with a local.... For a similar role, one uneducated, unqualified and unethical person was paid millions of rupees for years for doing absolutely nothing - convert that money to the then exchange rate, WK is doing a favour to PAK cricket .... and obviously those people will vent their poison breath in every opportunity.

There are few ways of crisis/risk management - mitigation/sacrifice is the worst of those - Misbah is one such solution, so that next PCB coach can draw some respect. As a PCT fan, we have to bear that agony and wait for the time - if Wasim Khan leaves now leaving his broth half cooked, .... no, I won’t write this time where PAK cricket will go in 5 years; trolls will cash their moments - you’ll see.

 

[Amir]

Let's face it, the Pakistan coach position is not a lucrative or attractive proposition to most international coaches.

A track record of a revolving door of coaches, a poisonous media full of bitter ex-players with axes to grind, and the idea of being imprisoned in the NCA with little freedom to move about meant even this "new and improved" PCB could not attract quality candidates back in the summer.

They were left with a choice of two coaches in Misbah and Dean Jones who have ZERO international coaching experience, or retaining Mickey for another year until other names became available.

However PCB crumbled like a dessert in the face of the ex-player mafia who had their knives out for a foreigner in Mickey from Day 1, and appointed Misbah and Waqar to appease the gallery. How's those local appointments working out ?

I was very excited when Wasim Khan was hired. Thinking finally a foreigner to bring some strcture to our board. Turns out you can take a Pakistani out of Pakistan but not Pakistan out of a Pakistani.

This guy is on pace for being worse than Ijaz Butt. I am not even talking aout the team results. THis guy has essentially bent over backwards and has asked Misbah Ul Haq to take Pakistan cricket hostage as his ransom prisoner with a blank cheque.

AFter he gives Misbah all authority, how does he allow Islamabad United fire the one coach who won 2 PSLs AND is Pakistan crickets most ardent supporter? All for who? Oh yes, the mighty Misbah. Does he not have enough money? And for anyone who says it was IU choice to fire Dean - fine but there should be a conflict of interest restriction on hiring King Misbah.

 

[Shafi]

Let's face it, the Pakistan coach position is not a lucrative or attractive proposition to most international coaches.

A track record of a revolving door of coaches, a poisonous media full of bitter ex-players with axes to grind, and the idea of being imprisoned in the NCA with little freedom to move about meant even this "new and improved" PCB could not attract quality candidates back in the summer.

They were left with a choice of two coaches in Misbah and Dean Jones who have ZERO international coaching experience, or retaining Mickey for another year until other names became available.

However PCB crumbled like a dessert in the face of the ex-player mafia who had their knives out for a foreigner in Mickey from Day 1, and appointed Misbah and Waqar to appease the gallery. How's those local appointments working out ?

Exactly!!! Now win win situation for both ex-players's bitterness. They cannot blame foreigners

 

[AFM]

PP’s here are so impatient. It’s thanks to Waseem I see a future for Pak cricket. It will take years for his efforts to yield results on the international team.

 

[Savak]

Lance Klusenar applied to the Afghanistan head coach role i.e. a country which has been ravaged with War since 1979 and Pakistan on the other hand could not attract quality applicants. Now that is something that should really worry the PCB. Clearly the remuneration on offer was not competitive.

 

[Hasan]

And this guy fired the only professional coach in Pakistan.

 

[Hasan123]

Appointing someone as selector, coach, and batting coach when he has no experience is not professional. If we wanted to have him in a role it should have been one. I would never have Misbah as batting coach though.

 

[Saj]

The biggest problem Mani and Wasim have is that whatever 'good' they feel they are doing, ultimately they will be judged by what is happening on the field.

 

[Majid Khan]

Hopefully once they’ve managed to professionalise the PCB they could put all efforts to professionalise the national cricket team also.