Tag: Najam Sethi

LAHORE: Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Management Committee Najam Sethi reiterated his plea to his friends and high-ups not to demand any favours regarding the hiring and promotion of people within the board. 

Taking to Twitter, Sethi made it clear to his acquaintances and higher authorities as well that he will not follow the bad practices of the past and erode the integrity of the cricket board

“I am flooded with “requests” from relatives, friends, acquaintances & persons in authority to hire or promote people in PCB.” he said on Twitter on Sunday.

“Please, Please, everyone, understand PCB is not an employment agency. I cannot, will not, follow bad past practices to erode its professional integrity.”

I am flooded with “requests” from relatives, friends, acquaintances & persons in authority to hire or promote people in PCB. Please, Please, everyone, understand PCB is not an employment agency. I cannot, will not, follow bad past practices to erode its professional integrity.

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) January 29, 2023

Earlier, Sethi requested his friends and superiors not to ask for free passes to the Pakistan Super League matches.

“I am making a personal request to all friends and high-ups NOT to ask for free tickets/passes to PSL matches starting next month. The Public Accounts Committee of National Assembly that audits PCB has warned us to desist from this practise!” he tweeted earlier this month.

Moreover, he also requested them to refrain from seeking undue favours for any player, coach or undeserving person for a position in the board or cricket team.

“I am also requesting friends and high-ups not to do sifarish for selection of any player or coach, etc, or to give employment or facilitation to any undeserving person. PCB competes with top professional organisations in the world and cannot afford to be inefficient.”

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LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Najam Sethi heaped praise on Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for prevailing in the recently-announced ICC Awards 2022.

Pakistan skipper Babar, who enjoyed a remarkable year with the bat in all three formats, bagged the ICC ODI Men’s Cricketer of the Year Award before getting his hand on the most coveted award – Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022.

The right-handed batter also featured in the ICC ODI and Test Team of the Year 2022 and became only the second cricketer to be named in all formats of ICC Team of the Year.

Following his dominance in this year’s ICC Awards, PCB management committee Chair Sethi hailed the Pakistan skipper and stated that the latter made the whole nation proud.

“Babar Azam made the whole nation proud by winning the most prestigious ICC Awards,” said Sethi.

Sethi also termed Babar a role model for all the young cricketers in the country.

“Babar Azam’s performance and achievements are a reward for his hard work, dedication and determination and he’s a beacon for all the young cricketers of Pakistan,” Sethi praised.

Furthermore, Sethi also congratulated Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Nida Dar for being named in the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 Team of the Year.

“On behalf of PCB, I also congratulate Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Nida Dar for being named in the Men’s and Women’s T20 Team of the Year,” said Sethi.

“I am sure that these ICC awards will motivate the entire Pakistan cricket team to perform well this year,” he concluded.

READ: Nepal’s Aasif Sheikh wins Spirit of Cricket Award 2022 

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Monday, announced that he will attend the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Board Meeting in February. 

Sethi addressed the media here and announced that he will be attending the board meeting of the ACC in Bahrain on February 4 and will discuss Pakistan’s stance towards hosting the upcoming Asia Cup.

“The Asian Cricket Council board meeting was not being held for a long time and the decisions were being taken unilaterally and we also challenged some of those decisions,” said Sethi.

“So, the good news is that we’ve managed to convince the Asian Cricket Council [for the meeting] and now on February 4 in Bahrain and I will be attending it.

“So, this is a very major development and there were a lot of issues that you guys were agitating, we will be taking up those,” Sethi told the media.

It is pertinent to mention that the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) had announced that their national team will not be touring Pakistan to partake in the Asia Cup 2023.

According to the details, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the ACC, said that the Asia Cup 2023 may be played at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan.

Following BCCI’s announcement, PCB wrote a formal complaint to ACC and requested to call an emergency meeting in light of the current situation.

READ: Pakistan likely to play T20I series against Afghanistan, hints Sethi

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Monday, hinted at the potential T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan following the conclusion of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8.

Sethi, while addressing a press conference here, confirmed that the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) executives contacted the PCB to play a three-match series, following Australia’s withdrawal from the ODI series against Afghanistan, citing restrictions on women’s rights in the country.

“I met the chairman and executives of the Afghanistan [Board] in Dubai. The crux of the matter is that they requested us to play three matches,” shared Sethi.

“My stance was that even if we play those matches, it would not benefit either cricketing nation, so we are not really interested in going ahead and playing those matches.

“Again, keeping it short, since I had a detailed conversation with them. We came to the conclusion that subject to the government’s approval, Pakistan and Afghanistan will play three T20I matches in Sharjah, just after the conclusion of PSL 8 and before the arrival of New Zealand.”

Sethi further disclosed that PCB and ACB will equally share the remuneration yielded from the aforesaid series and will also be outsourcing the productions.

It is apropos to mention that the ACB approached Pakistan to play a three-match ODI series following Australia’s withdrawal, earlier this month.

READ: ICC takes back below average rating to Rawalpindi pitch on PCB’s appeal

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi provided a much-anticipated update on the possible return of former national head coach Mickey Arthur, stating that the chapter has not been closed yet.

While addressing a press conference here on Monday, Sethi shared that he did not close the chapter of Arthur and is currently in negotiation personally with the former head coach.

“As I discussed earlier, I had not closed the chapter of Mickey Arthur and it still hasn’t been closed yet. I am in negotiations personally with Mickey,” shared Sethi.

The PCB management committee chairman further revealed that the negotiations too, are almost done with Mickey while also expressing his hope to welcome the South Africa-hailed coach again.

“I think, we have completed 90 percent of the journey and hopefully, very soon, we may give you the news that Mickey will be joining us. But, as of now, it’s not settled. There are some issues,” said Sethi.

Sethi further shared that if Mickey takes up the role then the PCB will give him a free hand to make his team.

“If Arthur comes in, we will give him free hand to make his team as we did previously,” Sethi said.

It is worth mentioning that Arthur coached the national men’s side between 2016 and 2019. During his tenure, Pakistan won their last major ICC event – Champions Trophy 2017 – and also rose to the top spot in the T20I rankings.

The South African coach was then removed from the position following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the Cricket World Cup 2019.

READ: Najam Sethi gives green signal to Amir for international return

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi gave a green signal to experienced pacer Mohammad Amir for his potential return to international cricket, stating he will not interfere in the selection process.

While addressing a press conference here on Monday, Sethi categorically stated that he would not stop Amir from returning to the national team if the latter took his retirement back.

“Mohammad Amir can play international cricket for Pakistan if he takes his retirement back,” said Najam Sethi.

“I always took a strong stance against match-fixing. I believe no convicted player should be spared, but at the same time, a player should be allowed to resume international cricket once he has completed his years of penalty,” he added.

Notably, the speculations regarding Amir’s potential return resurfaced following the ouster of previous PCB chairman Ramiz Raja.

The left-arm pacer announced his retirement in December 2020, asserting he had been mentally tortured by the then team management.

READ: Haroon Rasheed named Pakistan men’s chief selector 

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi hinted at limiting the participation of top national players in foreign leagues in a bid to prevent them from injuries.

Sethi, while interacting with the media after unveiling the complete schedule of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 responded to a question regarding players’ fitness woes and thus hinted at taking precautionary measures to avoid them.

“When I was the chairman of the PCB in 2017-18, we established a rule that no player can participate in more than two leagues. So, after coming back, I enquired about whether that rule is being followed or not, I did not get a satisfactory response,” revealed Sethi.

“Despite the rule in place, the players somehow get permission to participate in different leagues. So, that rule is not being followed,” he added.

Mr Sethi further revealed the proposal he received from PSL franchises regarding players’ availability ahead of the PSL 8 before categorically stating that the PCB will not risk their fitness at any cost.

“Recently, some of our players were wanting to partake in the Bangladesh Premier League including those who are going to be involved in the PSL. So, I asked management committee member Haroon Rashid as he was monitoring such cases to get feedback from their respective franchises if they will permit their players,” said Sethi.

“And if they get injured there and later ruled out of the PSL, who will be responsible for this and what should the policy be for it so we got a suggestion from the franchises that 15 days prior to the commencement of the PSL all the selected players should return to the country,” he maintained.

“So that is the proposal for us and I am ensuring you that definitely we will take action on this because we can’t risk it. There is so much cricket being played so we have to protect our players. It is true that players need financial assistance but not by risking national duty,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that the eighth edition of the PSL will kick off on February 13 with hosts Multan Sultans taking on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the curtain raiser.

Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host the 34-match marquee event with each city-based franchise will play five matches in front of their fans and supporters – one against each side.

The PSL 8 will be held in two legs with Multan Cricket Stadium and National Bank Cricket Arena splitting matches from 13-26 February before the action shifts to the Gaddafi Stadium and Pindi Cricket Stadium where the matches will be played from 26 February to 19 March including playoffs and the final.

READ: Is Ali Sethi performing PSL 8 anthem? PCB chairman settles the dust

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board’s interim chief Najam Sethi has requested his friends and superiors not to ask for free passes to the Pakistan Super League matches. 

Taking to Twitter on Friday, the head of the PCB Management Committee, asked high-ups as well as his friends not to request free tickets during the upcoming PSL season 8, saying that the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly warned the board to desist from the practice. 

“I am making a personal request to all friends and high-ups NOT to ask for free tickets/passes to PSL matches starting next month. The Public Accounts Committee of National Assembly that audits PCB has warned us to desist from this practise!” he tweeted. 

Moreover, he also requested them to refrain from seeking undue favours for any player, coach or undeserving person for a position in the board or cricket team.

“I am also requesting friends and high-ups not to do sifarish for selection of any player or coach, etc, or to give employment or facilitation to any undeserving person. PCB competes with top professional organisations in the world and cannot afford to be inefficient.” he added.

1) I am making a personal request to all friends and high-ups NOT to ask for free tickets/passes to PSL matches starting next month. The Public Accounts Committee of National Assembly that audits PCB has warned us to desist from this practise!

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) January 20, 2023

 

It is pertinent to mention that the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League will be held next month. PCB will reveal the complete schedule of the marquee league today.

READ: India fined 60 pc of match fee for slow over-rate in first New Zealand ODI

KARACHI: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi slammed Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah for unilaterally announcing the calendar of Asia Cup 2022/23.

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) secretary who is also the president of ACC on Thursday came with the announcement regarding the pathway structure and cricket calendars for 2023 and 2024 for upcoming Asia Cups.

Presenting the @ACCMedia1 pathway structure & cricket calendars for 2023 & 2024! This signals our unparalleled efforts & passion to take this game to new heights. With cricketers across countries gearing up for spectacular performances, it promises to be a good time for cricket! pic.twitter.com/atzBO4XjIn

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 5, 2023

Meanwhile, PCB management committee chairman Sethi was not pleased by the announcement from ACC President Shah and took a dig at him for unilaterally announcing the details.

Taking to Twitter, Sethi mentioned Shah and tauntingly thanked the latter for unilaterally announcing the Asia Cup structure and calendar, especially for Asia Cup 2023 for which Pakistan is the host while also asking him to present the structure and calendar of the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“Thank you [Jay Shah] for unilaterally presenting [Asia Cup] structure & calendars 2023-24 especially relating to Asia Cup 2023 for which [Pakistan] is the event host,” Sethi wrote on Twitter.

“While you are at it, you might as well present structure & calendar of our PSL 2023! A swift response will be appreciated,” he added.

Thank you @JayShah for unilaterally presenting @ACCMedia1 structure & calendars 2023-24 especially relating to Asia Cup 2023 for which 🇵🇰 is the event host. While you are at it, you might as well present structure & calendar of our PSL 2023! A swift response will be appreciated. https://t.co/UdW2GekAfR

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) January 5, 2023

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan got the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2023 amid the Executive Board meeting of the ACC in October last year.

READ: Karachi Kings sign 1XBAT as Titanium sponsor for PSL 8

LAHORE: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee  Najam Sethi on Tuesday announced to clear all the outstanding payments of contracted players and in-house employees. 

“I am pleased to report that @TheRealPCB (PCB) has been ordered to immediately clear all outstanding payments of contracted players and employees pending since the last regime,” posted Sethi on his official Twitter account.

I am pleased to report that @TheRealPCB has been ordered to immediately clear all outstanding payments of contracted players and employees pending since last regime.

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) January 3, 2023

Reportedly, the payments of the players participating in the Pakistan Junior League were withheld by the previous administration. Similarly, many of the contracted cricketers in the domestic cricketers did not receive their due payments.

Meanwhile, Sethi-led interim PCB management, who took charge of the board only recently after the federal government scrapped the 2019 PCB constitution, on Monday formally approved the notifications for the restoration of Departments/Services Organisations, Regions and District/Zonal Cricket Associations under the PCB Constitution 2014.

The move is believed to revive the departmental structure of domestic cricket in accordance with the federal government’s decision to restore departmental sports in the country.

READ: PCB management committee formally restores departmental cricket