Ehsan Mani dispels speculation that PM Imran is running PCB

ABU DHABI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has dismissed speculation that Prime Minister Imran Khan is running the affairs of the board. 

“I have just been appointed the chairman for 36 months. Prime Minister Imran Khan is the patron of the cricket board but that does not mean he meddles in the working of the board,” Mani told Geo News on day one of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia in Abu Dhabi. 

“There are a lot of reports in the media but that does not mean all of them are true. Recently there were rumours of Australia touring Pakistan next year for a one-day international series, but there is no truth to it,” he added.

The PCB chairman said, “Even though we are trying to bring back international cricket to Pakistan, there is still time for that to happen.”

He added, “The good news is that some of the matches of the fourth season of Pakistan Super League will be played in Pakistan next year.”

However, Mani clarified that there are some cricket matters and policies that he needs to get briefed on from time to time.

"There should be one committee to advice the selection committee," he observed. 

Commenting on reports of rift between coach Mickey Arthur and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Mani said, “I do not interfere in the matters of the dressing room.”

‘However, I have spoken to Arthur about it and everything is fine now,” he added.