PCB restoring departmental cricket, says Najam Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has said the central contracts of all the players have been extended, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Addressing a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, he said the new body has contacted all institutions for restoring departmental cricket in the country as soon as possible. 

Najam Sethi said the board of management has decided to restore Regional and District Cricket Associations and Departments and a strategic plan will now be prepared to include them formally in the domestic cricket structure, including participation in the PCB Board of Governors in due course.

He said that officials of all regional cricket associations have been called next week for preparing long-term planning for bringing improvement in domestic cricket. 

The senior journalist and political analyst, Najam Sethi said Shahid Afridi was also contacted by the management committee for the consultation.   

He said Shahid Afridi has inspected the pitch in Karachi. “We are trying to make a better pitch for the next match. A pitch curator has been called from Chakwal to Karachi in this regard.” 

To a question, he replied that funds are being provided for the erection of Bugti Cricket Stadium in Quetta.

“The preparation of the women's league has been completed, let's see if we can have a women's league in the upcoming PSL or not.”

To another question, he said PCB is going to reduce the salaries of its highly paid employees to manage the economic affairs of the board.   

 “Talked to people with higher salaries, those who want to stay, it’s okay, we will reduce the salaries.”