PCB approves Anti-Racism Code, to be effective from PSL 2019

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board has approved Anti-Racism Code for players, which will immediately come into effect with the beginning of Pakistan Super League 2019.

During the second ODI in Durban, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed aimed a comment at South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo which was deemed as racist and resulted in him being charged with an offence under the ICC's anti-racism code. 

The code is quite similar to the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Code with some little modifications, said an official press release which came after the governing body’s 52th meeting in Lahore.

Men's cricket

The Board of Governors had a detailed and constructive discussion on the performance of the Pakistan cricket team and players’ selection criteria, a press release from the PCB said. 

Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq informed the BoG that the broader selection guidelines and principles included player performances, conditions in which the performances were recorded, judgement of the selectors and looking into the future. The chief selector admitted there was room for improvement in the team’s performance across all three formats, but emphasised that the side was heading in the right direction since his panel took over in 2016. He cited the examples of the teams’ past and present rankings, and assured the BoG that the youngsters were on the verge of establishing themselves as the cornerstone of Pakistan cricket’s future.

It was unanimously agreed that more stadiums with upgraded cricketing facilities that provide equal contest between the bat and the ball needed to be provided so that the cricketers can show their true mettle. It was also suggested that the scope of player education at the age-group level should be re-introduced and broadened so that the cricketers can play their role in improving and enhancing the image of Pakistan.

There was consensus in maintaining the primacy of domestic cricket, revival and significance of junior cricket teams’ tours and reviewing the overall cricket scheduling to ensure the players’ workload was being better managed. The BoG also noted the Pakistan cricket team played 50 days of cricket in the past 123 days, including eight Tests, eight ODIs and nine T20Is with travel in between.

Domestic cricket 

The Task Force for the domestic cricket structure made a presentation to the BoG on the proposed structure. The BoG expressed their satisfaction on the progress made and agreed that the under consideration structure was competitive and will produce high quality cricket.

It was agreed that once the parameters and concept have been finalised and agreed, this will be presented to the BoG for approval before being rolled into Pakistan cricket.

“I want to commend the Task Force on the progress they have made in the new proposed domestic cricket structure that focuses on quality over quantity, clarifies the role of the departments and, provides opportunities to improve and enhance the capabilities and capacities of the regions. The Task Force is making good progress and I think they will soon be able to present the best model designed for Pakistan cricket to the BoG for approval,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said.

Women’s cricket

The BoG congratulated the Sindh government and the PCB for the successful staging of the West Indies women’s cricket team’s tour to Karachi for three T20Is. The BoG also recorded its appreciation to Cricket West Indies for agreeing to send their side and supporting the PCB in its efforts to revive international cricket in Pakistan.

The BoG was informed that the West Indies women were extremely satisfied and happy with the arrangements and left for Dubai with a good and positive impression of Karachi and passion for cricket, including women’s cricket, in Pakistan.

The BoG also commended Sana Mir on becoming the first Asian and sixth woman cricketer overall to complete 100 T20Is. The BoG also noted the women’s team’s performance in the series and wished them well for the upcoming matches.