Jalal proposes cut in PCB expenses, officials’ salaries

ISLAMABAD: As clouds of uncertainty loom over the cricketing world in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, former Test cricketer Jalaluddin has suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board to slash administrative expenditures and introduce cut in the salaries of all those officials who are drawing more than Rs500,000 per month till the time things get back to normal.

While talking to ‘The News’, the first bowler to achieve a hat-trick in ODI cricket, Jalaluddin said there was a dire need to introduce austerity measures in the PCB before it gets too late and the board comes under financial pressure amid pandemic.

“With no income as well as no clue as to when action will restart on cricket fields, the PCB needs to introduce austerity measures starting with cutting down the administrative expenditures and introducing 30-40 percent cut in the salaries of all those administrators, coaches and officials who are drawing a monthly salary of more than Rs500,000. These measures should be taken till action restarts on the field and things get back to normal.”

Jalaluddin said there were two basic reasons behind taking such measures. “There is no activity whatsoever so obviously the PCB’s finances would come under pressure and secondly all the big guns in the PCB including some coaches have nothing to do. They are sitting idle. All those enjoying perks should present themselves for salary cuts. All other boards including the ECB (England) are also considering such options.”

He also urged the board to look for all those first-class players who were going through a torrid time under the prevailing scenario and help them financially.

“These cricketers served the game and the country, raising the status of Pakistan cricket to its current level. Any first-class cricketer facing hardships should be supported financially. Secondly, those first-class cricketers who were part of the system till last year and are facing hardships should also be preferred. There is also a need to respect former Test cricketers who have put in their share in making Pakistan the best around.”

Jalaluddin added that only 600 cricketers from across the country were recognised this year against over 70,000 players who were part of the official system last year.

“Club and departmental cricket are the worst-hit areas. I don’t see any improvement in the numbers in the upcoming years. The decrease in cricket activity, especially at grassroots level, will emerge in a couple of years. Then we won’t have quality backup or a talented pool of youngsters.”

Jalaluddin, who is also a qualified coach, was critical of the prevailing coaching system in Pakistan. “I was surprised at the selection of teams for first-class cricket in the just-concluded year. Those who selected the teams were unaware of players’ potential and haphazardly picked them in one team or the other. Some players who were named in Grade II teams when given an opportunity in Grade I performed brilliantly. Now who is responsible for depriving them first-class matches initially?”

The former seamer was critical of Misbahul Haq’s multiple roles. “Sports has turned total professional these days. One man cannot look after everything. There should be check and balance so that everyone is able to look after his job properly. I am deeply concerned about the priorities of the national selectors. You cannot try players at international level. It is meant only for those who are ready to perform. Coaches and selectors must know the true worth of a player before exposing him against the best in the world.”