Incoming PCB managing director Wasim Khan outlines wish list
The new managing director of the PCB outlined his vision in an exclusive interview with ESPNcricinfo.
"I think there are three or four areas on which I will be judged," he said. "The first is restructuring domestic cricket in Pakistan, the second is seeing a return of more high-profile fixtures - particularly international fixtures - to the country and the third is rationalising the headcount at the PCB. Those are some of my main areas of focus."
The first British-born player of Asian origin to play county cricket says he is prepared to make “tough decisions” to “improve the perception of the PCB”.
“We all want to professionalise and improve the game," he says. "I know that with people involved of that calibre, I will have the support to take tough decisions if necessary. I wouldn't have taken the job if I didn't have those people around me. I'm confident we can together improve the perception of the PCB around the world."
International cricket has been largely absent from Pakistan since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 which left eight dead and six members of the Sri Lanka team injured. Khan however feels that the situation now has changed greatly.
"A lot of the problem is a perception issue," he said. "I think some people expect Lahore to be a dusty and dry city where people live in ruins and there are security issues on a daily basis. It's obviously nothing like that. It has a café culture. It has all the shops and restaurants you would expect to see in any major international city and it has been largely incident free for a while now.
“Yes, there are challenges. But we have seen incidents in London and Paris, too, and few people have suggested we stop playing sport as a consequence."
Khan will attempt to convince Australia to play some games of their upcoming tour in the country. "I need to sit down with other boards and ask them: where are the gaps in our plans that worry you?” he said. "What can we do to assure you? What do we need to persuade you to come back? I want to hear what concerns they have and find a way of meeting them.
"We have international stadiums. We have a great passion for the game. If we can get more foreign players coming to Pakistan more often, hopefully we can normalise playing in the country again.”
International cricket has started to return to Pakistan, with a World XI and the West Indies playing T20I series in the country in recent years. The Pakistan Super League has also seen games played in the country, and the number of PSL games played at home is only set to increase.
"As things stand, there will be eight games in the next PSL played in Pakistan. We hope the number of foreign players coming to Pakistan will gradually increase and they will pass on their positive experiences to their team-mates.”
Khan is realistic in realising how much he can affect the PCB’s relationship with the BCCI, with issues running deeper than just cricket, but there are specific goals he would like to see achieved.
"I want to sit down with my counterpart at the BCCI and see if I can improve that relationship," he said. "But the complications go far beyond cricket and will require changes in thinking. I'd like to see Pakistan players welcomed into the IPL, though. That would be a big step."
The PCB role wasn’t the only job which Khan was in the running for, with the former Leicestershire chief executive having been interviewed for the position of managing director of England’s men’s teams. Both positions would have represented significant promotions, but Khan was sure about where his heart lay.
"My friends noticed that, when I talked about the Pakistan role, I was much more animated and excited," Wasim said. "I knew they were both great opportunities. But the chance to make a positive contribution to Pakistan was overwhelming. It's my passion. It's been my passion for years."