Sethi to do even better as he rises to the top

(Former Pakistan cricketer)

Pakistan cricket was on the verge of isolation when Najam Sethi took over the reins of PCB. His predecessor proved incapable of taming the ICC Big Three beast and Pakistan had almost no options left on the table as the “bigger and even the smaller nations” had negotiated prudent deals with India, Australia and England leaving the PCB in a dark corner.

Sethi went about the task of repairing the damage by engaging with the Big Three nations.Many ill-informed critics lambasted his move but gradually they realised that from a position of isolation Pakistan had re-emerged just below the Big Three besides gathering an all important seat in the ICC Executive Committee.Sethi believed in having cordial relations with fellow ICC members and went about the task of convincing Test nations to tour Pakistan.

Due to his efforts, the 2015 Zimbabwe series was hosted in Lahore, six years after the attack on the Sri Lankan team.The PSL final this year was an event to remember for the thousands who packed into the Gaddafi Stadium.

The icing on the cake is the mouth watering prospect of some of the biggest names in international cricket taking on Pakistani superstars in the World XI series next month.

While PSL is arguably the biggest feather in Sethi’s cap, the return of international cricket, the recognition of women’s cricket through an annual expenditure of Rs300 million and selection of a world-class coaching panel are equally important achievements that have changed the shape of Pakistan cricket, culminating in the extraordinary Champions Trophy triumph in England.

The next three years under Sethi’s dynamic leadership can bring unprecedented success and turn the PCB into a top-class, profit-generating body that can be a model organisation for its peers in the country.