The ECC meeting, held late Friday night, was chaired by PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf. -Photo by AFP

LAHORE: Taking notice of the complaints raised about the quality of balls being used in domestic circuit, the Executive Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to use Kookaburra balls in first-class as well as limited-overs contests of the ongoing season.

Furthermore, the ECC also decided to hold a training camp for the national team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before the start of every international series.

The ECC meeting, held late Friday night, was chaired by PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf and also attended by chief operating officer, chief financial officer, director general, director international cricket operations, director coordination, director security and vigilance, and director marketing.

Earlier, several complaints about the poor standard of the balls being used in the ongoing domestic season had been raised.

Moreover, concerns have been expressed by some players over the lax security arrangements made at the venues for the ongoing President’s Trophy. It is to be noted that despite several Test and international representing different teams in the President’s Trophy security measures have not been up to the mark.

The ECC meeting also featured national selection committee chairman Iqbal Qasim, national Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez, head coach Dav Whatmore and bowling coach Mohammad Akram.

“The ECC invited Mohammad Hafeez, Dav Whatmore, Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mohammad Akram and Iqbal Qasim to discuss the strengths of the national team and areas where further improvements can be made,” a press release issued by the PCB stated.

Interestingly, Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq was not invited to the meeting, signifying how much importance is being
given to T20 skipper Hafeez.

There is also a perception that Hafeez is being promoted to replace Misbah, one of the most successful skippers of Pakistan, in the near future.

Meanwhile, the press release stated that following decisions were taken at the ECC meeting:

— On the valuable suggestions from team management of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament, national coaches and selection committee it was agreed that before all FTP tours a camp of national team will be held at the NCA. During the camp same brand of cricket balls to be used for practice which would be used on that particular tour.

— After extensive deliberation on the suggestions received from the team management, players and selectors, the ECC unanimously decided to use Kookaburra balls in both first-class and limited-overs domestic cricket.

— It was unanimously agreed that domestic cricket requires improvements in fielding, fitness, application of technique and other areas. The ECC agreed to form a committee comprising Shafiq Ahmed and Mohammad Akram, which would present its report in the next ECC meeting.

— Besides giving suggestions in the above mentioned areas, the committee will review and suggest a system for the proper utilisation of regional coaches, ways to improve the regional cricket reporting system and suggest a cut-off date for the start of using Kookaburra balls at domestic level.