LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to reform the country’s cricket after their disappointing campaigns in the ODI and T20 World Cups.
Addressing the upgradation ceremony for the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today, the prime minister reiterated the resolve to bring back Pakistan’s lost glory in the world of cricket.
He directed the PCB chief to focus more on the cricket team.
“Cricket team should be selected on merit and domestic system needs to be improved,” said PM Shehbaz Sharif.
He emphasised that the team should be reformed and players should be selected on merit.
For the unversed, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has handed over the power to make cricket decisions to former captain Waqar Younis.
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The sources revealed that Naqvi would oversee the administrative affairs only, while Waqar would be responsible for all the decisions regarding international and domestic selection committees, players’ No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other important cricket matters.
According to the PCB Constitution 2014, the chairman has the authority to delegate his power to someone, thereby enabling the transfer of powers to Waqar Younis.
Meanwhile, Naqvi himself is currently focused on administrative affairs including the upgradation of stadiums for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction that steps are being taken to rebuild the infrastructure of the Gaddafi Stadium on modern lines, oversaw by Mohsin Naqvi.
“There is a real need to modernize cricket stadiums,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that PCB is reconstructing stadiums for the champions trophy scheduled in 2025.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February to March next year in Pakistan at three different venues.
The teams that qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 include Pakistan (hosts), India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England, and Bangladesh.