We are devising a five-year strategic plan, claims PCB

KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket chiefs claimed on Tuesday that they are devising a five-year strategic plan with the aim to improve the game and to strengthen the existing cricketing structure in the country.
Shaharyar M. Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), shared some information about the long-term plan at the 34th meeting of the PCB Board of Governors held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Tuesday.
The PCB chairman said that the Board’s five-year strategic plan, which will be presented to the Board of Governors at the next meeting, aims to streamline PCB’s planning related to a number of areas. Among other things, the plan focuses on domestic cricket, grassroots structure, women’s cricket, business development, marketing, and enabling high performance.
He informed the Board of Governors that new regional academies will be set up in Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. In addition, existing academies at Multan and Karachi will be upgraded and made operational.
International cricket’s return to Pakistan was also brought up as the Chairman touched upon the interest of leading associate members of the ICC to tour Pakistan in the near future.
Shaharyar also stated that the PSL Committee is formulating plans for holding PSL at the appropriate time next year.
The Board of Governors approved awarding broadcasting rights to Pakistan Television and Ten Sports, joint-bidders for PCB’s next rights cycle for five years.
The PCB chief informed the Board of Governors about the appointment of Azhar Ali and Haroon Rashid as ODI captain and Chief Selector, respectively. He stated that these appointments were made following extensive consultations with various members of the cricket fraternity.
The meeting was also attended by Najam Sethi, Chairman Executive Committee, Shakeel Sheikh, Chairman Cricket Committee, Gul Zada, Peshawar Region, Mansoor Masood Khan, UBL, Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, WAPDA, Professor Ijaz Faruqi, Karachi Region, and Amjad Latif, SNGPL. Subhan Ahmed, COO, Badar Manzoor Khan, CFO, and Ehsan Mani, Chairman Broadcasting Rights Committee were also present.