The intricate balance between sports and politics often defines the trajectory of a nation’s sporting landscape. In the realm of cricket, a game cherished by millions in Pakistan, the interplay of these forces has been particularly pronounced in recent years.

Here the poignant words of the French statesman and diplomat Talleyrand (1754-1838) ring true: “The art of putting the right men in the right places is first in the science of government.” Yet, in Pakistan’s cricket scene, this art has been overshadowed by political manoeuvring and power play.

The pivotal position of the chairman at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has become a testament to the influence of politics on the game. This leadership role has seen an eclectic mix of individuals assuming its mantle, ranging from bureaucrats and technocrats to cricketers, businessmen, diplomats, judges, politicians and even a journalist.

The incumbent prime minister, also a patron of the PCB, nominates two persons to the Board of Governors and, mostly from these two, a chairman is elected — usually driven by political allegiance rather than cricketing acumen or administrative expertise. This trend has established a cycle of political appointments that hampers progress and undermines the very essence of cricket governance.

Pakistan’s case is fast becoming a laughing stock. It leaves the International Cricket Council (ICC) high-ups sneering at meeting a new person every now and then — we have had three gentlemen at the helm in the last eight months.

The PCB chairman’s position has turned into a political post. Frequent changes at the top have hampered not just cricket development but also reduced Pakistan’s international influence

At the turn of the year, Ramiz Raja was shown the door. Ramiz, a former captain with knowledge of the game and experience of administration, protested but fell prey to politics. Najam Sethi, backed by the incoming coalition front-liners the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came for another innings at the office.

The new management committee chief took on the fight of keeping or salvaging Pakistan’s hosting rights of the Asia Cup. But six months later, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — the second largest party in the coalition government — realised that cricket comes under their ministry, the Inter-Provincial Committee (IPC). The IPC minister Ihsan Mazari vociferously proclaimed that they would have their man at Gaddafi Stadium. Atrociously, he confessed in a television interview to demanding money from Sethi, which was declined. 

Had the ICC got an inkling of that confession, they would have warned Pakistan of dire consequences: for using their funds on something other than cricket. But Pakistan escaped.

Such was the pressure from the PPP that premier Shahbaz Sharif had to bow down and Sethi was asked to leave. Enter another political appointee: Zaka Ashraf, for a third tenure!

While the ICC mandates that member nations manage their cricket affairs autonomously, reality often diverges from this ideal. Article 2.4 of the ICC constitution unequivocally emphasises the importance of no government interference in the governance, regulation and administration of cricket. However, the implementation of this principle has proved challenging.

Zimbabwe’s suspension from international cricket in 2019, because of concerns about the government seeking funding distribution, serves as a stark reminder that governments can wield considerable influence over cricket boards.

Khalid Mahmood, a former bureaucrat who chaired the PCB, aptly articulates the adverse impact of political interference. “Any appointment, in any department, on the basis of politics is unjust and wrong,” bemoans Mahmood. “This is a wrong process. If the prime minister appoints someone with past experience who has merit of running cricket, then it’s okay. But if it is to please someone who has political affiliation, then it’s not on. There should be a criteria and the chairman should have experience and knowledge of the game.”

The struggle against political intrusion into cricket administration is most pronounced in Asian cricket boards, encompassing India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) recent woes also serve as a cautionary tale, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue.

In Sri Lanka, major decisions require the approval of the sports minister, effectively consolidating control within the political sphere. Bangladesh and Pakistan present similar narratives, where political patronage shapes leadership transitions and administrative appointments.

Contrastingly, other major cricket boards have adopted measures to minimise political influence and preserve cricketing autonomy. Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) follow transparent election processes for their heads, ensuring that cricket administrators are chosen based on merit rather than political considerations.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) employs a nomination committee to assess candidates and present recommendations, diminishing the influence of politics in the selection process.

In countries such as India, where cricket commands immense popularity, the position of cricket board head carries significant weight. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) holds a dominant role in cricket’s global landscape, both in terms of finances and influence. While the BCCI elects its head through an Annual General Meeting (AGM), political interference has manifested in the removal of individuals who defy political demands.

The removal of Sourav Ganguly from the BCCI position, following reported disagreements with the ruling party, underscores the vulnerability of cricket administration to political pressure.

However, the situation in Pakistan paints a more chaotic picture. The revolving door of PCB chairman has become emblematic of instability and inconsistency. This volatility hampers long-term planning, obstructs strategic development, and impedes the implementation of reforms imperative for the growth of Pakistan cricket.

Despite sporadic attempts to curtail political interference, progress has been elusive. The aspiration to transition from a nomination-based selection process to an election-based one for the PCB chairman could not find its place in the constitution. Ehsan Mani, a cricket administrator who aspired to diminish political influence during his 2018-2021 tenure, managed to narrow the patron’s role in financial matters rather than cricket operations.

The decline of Pakistan’s cricket reputation is evident in contrast to its past achievements. The country’s innovations, including introducing neutral umpires, match referees and ball boys once propelled it to the forefront of global cricket governance. Pakistan also played a pivotal role in establishing the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Unfortunately, the deterioration in governance has led to a decline in Pakistan’s influence and contributions to the cricket world. The ramifications of political interference extend beyond internal operations. They affect international relationships as well.

Former cricket administrator Arif Abbasi regrets that Pakistan has lost its way. “We have no image,” says Abbasi. “It gets smeared all the time. The best was when we hosted two World Cups [1987 and 1996]. The world used to follow Pakistan in cricket, but now we follow others.”

Mahmood too shows disappointment. “It has become a child’s play, changing and chopping the board. They appoint someone who doesn’t have any experience and is anonymous to the cricketing world. The outside world thinks that they don’t have political stability. The image of a country’s cricket board is only good when there is consistency and a process is followed.”

The PCB, former cricketers, administrators and the global cricketing community must collaboratively work to ensure that cricket administration remains free from political manipulation. Transparent selection processes, appointments based on merit, and adherence to the ICC’s regulations are critical in restoring integrity and efficacy to cricket governance in Pakistan.

Here, the former skipper Rashid Latif asks a rhetorical question: “Would Sethi or Ashraf want to become the head of hockey, football or wrestling?”

The answer is, of course, a big NO! Cricket steals the limelight in Pakistan. The man running cricket sits on one of the best chairs in the country. They always leave the door ajar for political interference so, maybe, their chance to stage a comeback remains intact.

The writer is a senior cricket analyst.
He tweets @hashmi_shahid

Published in Dawn, EOS, August 20th, 2023