During the last meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports, the PCB chairman Najam Sethi bemoaned that he has never drawn a penny so far for his extra efforts for managing the Pakistan Super League.
“I had to work day and night to ensure PSL success on all fronts. As yet I have not drawn a single penny for rendering my services for the PSL,” he complained before the Committee.
It is unfortunate that the PCB is headed by a person who doesn’t know the dignity of the highest office of Pakistan cricket which was once run by towering personalities like Justice A. R Cornelius, Syed Fida Hassan, Abdul Hafeez Kardar and Arif Ali Khan Abbasi.
The naïve members of the Committee felt pity on Sethi and supported that he must be allowed to take his due. “If you are working extra to manage PSL, you are entitled to draw a reasonable amount,” the committee observed.
A couple of disgraceful persons headed PCB in the past. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, younger brother of Saif-ur-Rehman former chairman of Ehtesab Bureau and Dr. Nasim Ashraf didn’t know the alphabets of cricket but were imposed upon Pakistan cricket.
The former even didn’t know about legendary former Test cricketers Fazal Mahmood, Imtiaz Ahmed or Hanif Muhammad. He was more interested in changing the logo of the PCB amid suggestion of a mediocre former Test opener, now commentator.
As chairman PCB he literally wept when was arrested after the military coup in October, 1999. Dr. Ashraf did nothing to serve Pakistan cricket but earned notoriety amid ordering bugging of former Test cricketer Salim Altaf’s office in the Gaddafi Stadium. But he had the courage to resign gracefully when the then Patron of the PCB General Pervaiz Musharraf resigned as the president of the country.
Nevertheless, these unwanted chairmen of the PCB never complained for working without salary. How sad it is that Sethi not only disgraced himself but also compromised the dignity of the office of the PCB chairman by complaining before the members of the NA Committee. KUCH SHARAM HOTI HA KUCH HAYA HOTI HA.
Was PSL duty imposed on you Mr. Sethi? No. You asked for it. During Shaharyar’s second term some other plans were boiling in your fertile mind. You were desperate to make PSL a private limited company and head it for life. You had also submitted an application with the Security & Exchange Commission of Pakistan for its registration.
It is unfortunate that the PCB is headed by a person who doesn’t know the dignity of the highest office of Pakistan cricket which was once run by towering personalities like Justice A. R Cornelius, Syed Fida Hassan, Abdul Hafeez Kardar and Arif Ali Khan Abbasi.
With caretaker government in the offing next month there are strong indicators that Sethi led mafia could be shown the door. He has already started lobbying among the stakeholders who matter in the formation of the caretaker government.
In a very smart move he invited Chief Justice Saqib Nisar to watch a PSL match in the Gaddafi Stadium. The honourable Judge didn’t realize for a while that shrewd Sethi would cash his presence. He also managed to invite all important military and civil service high ups to watch the PSL matches.
Was PSL duty imposed on you Mr. Sethi? No. You asked for it. During Shaharyar’s second term some other plans were boiling in your fertile mind. You were desperate to make PSL a private limited company and head it for life. You had also submitted an application with the Security & Exchange Commission of Pakistan for its registration.
After Shaharyar completed his term and you were imposed on Pakistan cricket by Nawaz Sharif, the disqualified prime minister, you changed your mind. In a sudden whim you dropped the idea of registration of the PSL and decided to enjoy both jobs. Vow! Now why are you complaining? You can hoodwink the naïve members of the NA Committee but not the people of Pakistan who keep a close check on your activities and actions.
It looks that Sethi has seen the writing on the wall. He knows that only a miracle can halt his imminent ouster from the PCB. In his recent interview with a female Tv anchor Sethi was asked that why he doesn’t respond to his critics. “When I will go back to my old profession (journalism) I would respond them”, Sethi replied. The author will wait for your response Mr. Sethi.