Policy circular issued to District and City Associations

PCB Media Release – November 26, 2004

To: All District/City Cricket Associations

I am addressing this circular to all District Associations to indicate important policy guidelines by the PCB. At the outset, I would like to reaffirm that the PCB considers the District Associations to be the lifeblood of cricket at the grass roots level and to assure District Associations of PCB’s full cooperation in the healthy development of cricketing activity throughout the country. This cooperation must necessarily be a two-way responsibility in which the PCB and District Associations interact on a basis of common interest, responsibility and mutual cooperation.

Decentralization

PCB will adopt a policy of decentralization in which the management of cricket affairs at the District level is handled by the District Associations themselves on the basis of accountability and financial probity, within the guidelines prescribed by PCB. The District Associations would be responsible to hold regular and fair elections based on PCB sponsored scrutiny and election commissions to organize District level club, schools, youth and women’s district tournaments, and the upkeep of grounds and equipment.

As regards selection policy, District Associations would appoint selectors for their District Teams. These selectors would need to be approved by PCB. At the regional level, the districts within the nine regions would nominate two regional selectors in consultation with other districts of the region preferably Test and First Class cricketers known for their integrity. They would also be approved by the PCB. These two selectors would be joined by a selector by a selector appointed by the PCB – usually a national selector – and the regional coach. The national selector would act as Chairman of the Regional Selection Committee with a casting vote. The Regional Selection Committee would also select teams for first class, Grade-II and Under-19 matches.

The regional coach would be selected by PCB but team Coaches and Managers would, from 2005, be selected by the District Associations and appoint them after PCB’s written approval.

Settlement of grievances

If a player who is not selected for the regional teams feels aggrieved, he would be required, in the first instance, to address his appeal with a fee of Rs. 500/- to the RDO, who after consulting the regional selectors and coaches would consider the appeal. If the RDO concludes that there is a case of manifest injustice he would refer the case back to the Selection Committee for consideration in future matches. If there is still no agreement between RDO and the selectors, the issue would be addressed to a PCB Appeals Committee.

With this appeals procedure in place the grievance of non-selected players shall be redressed fully, they would have an opportunity now to highlight their viewpoint before the Committee. This will also eliminate uncalled for an unnecessary litigation, this will ensure un-interrupted and smooth functioning of regional and national cricket. PCB has also instituted appeals procedure for district elections, scrutiny and disciplinary action, so that an aggrieved party can address its grievance to the appropriate PCB Appeals Committee for justice and fair play. This would ensure complete justice and ward off unnecessary litigation and collateral costs.

The courts have ruled in PCB’s favour in a number of landmark decisions holding that election rules are non-statutory and therefore are not prone to the Constitutional Jurisdiction of the Court. The following decisions set a clear precedent in this context:
i) W.P. No. 233/02 “Javed Khan Burki Vs PCB”
ii) I.C.A. No. 491/02 “Capt. Dr. Javed Ahmed Vs PCB”
iii) W.P. No. 1161/02 “Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari Vs PCB”
iv) W.P. No. 15871/04 “Imran Ashraf Vs PCB”

“Traditional Vs Limited overs Cricket”

PCB considers that a major imbalance has developed at the local levels between traditional and limited over cricket with the result that traditional cricket is hardly played at the district level. This trend has led to serious deficiencies in technique and strategy. Limited overs cricket does not teach a player to be a complete cricketer and therefore, this imbalance has to be actively reversed at the district level. District Associations are therefore, required at the schools, junior (U-17, U-19) and club level to hold at least one league per season that is played only on the basis of traditional cricket. A points system for drawn matches can be obtained from PCB. This does not mean that limited over cricket is to be abandoned but a sensible balance needs to be maintained with special importance given to nurturing techniques, coaching and traditional cricket tactics.

RDO’s

Regional Development Officers for all nine regions (expect Sialkot) have been announced. These RDO’s will be taking up their responsibilities on 1st December after a short induction course.

It is emphasized that RDO’s will be assisting the District Association in the promotion of cricket and will act as a bridge between the PCB and District Associations. Their task is not to interfere in the functioning of the District Associations but to act as a catalyst and helpful agent in providing guidance and smooth functioning at the local and grass root level. I request all District Associations to interact closely with RDO’s and to assist them in their task.

Women’s Cricket

Pakistan is a long way behind all major cricket playing countries in organizing women’s cricket. PCB intends to place Pakistan’s women cricket firmly on the map and has nominated Mrs. Mira Phailbus as the National Convene for women cricket in Pakistan. District Associations are expected to encourage women’s cricket at the schools, college and club level with special sessions for coaching girls at the regional academies. Separate grounds for women’s cricket will be allotted. District Associations should focus on women cricket and should co-opt active promoters of women’s cricket in their committees as also hold coaching activities and tournaments at school and club level. Mr. Imtiaz Ahmad has been nominated Advisor for the promotion of women’s cricket in Pakistan.

Over-age Players

Several players participating in the regional under-19 championships are clearly overage. Exemplary action will be taken if over-age players are included in teams at junior i.e. U-19, U-17 and U-15 levels. The primary responsibility for selecting players of correct ages rests with the District Associations who propose names for junior tournaments. The secondary responsibility rests with the player himself. A district committee official cannot, in the event of a player being found overage, plead that the player (or his parents) deceived him. The responsibility rests squarely with the District Associations.

Sponsorship

PCB is engaged in raising sponsorship for the development of cricket at all levels. District Associations are requested to seek sponsors at the local level for their own benefit. Sponsors should be invited to become members of District Associations Committees.

British visas for League/County Cricket

District Associations are informed that the system of qualifying for British visas after a cricketer had played 5 first class matches will no longer be implemented. This system has led to corruption and undue pressures on selectors and district level committees. Both PCB and the British High Commission have agreed to replace the previous system and the new formula for obtaining British visas will be conveyed to District Associations shortly.

Ball Tempering and Illegal Bowling Actions

District Associations are requested to keep a close eye on illegal bowling actions that have so far gone unchecked leading to embarrassment to the Board. District Associations should not select players who have suspect actions until they have been cleared by the PCB’s Standing Committee on illegal actions.

I look forward to interacting with you regularly.

Yours sincerely
Shaharyar M Khan
Chairman PCB