(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
PCB Faces Backlash Over Club Scrutiny Process Amid Lack of Independent Oversight
LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come under sharp criticism after taking an unexpected step in forming a club scrutiny committee composed entirely of its own officials, rather than establishing an independent body, as traditionally expected.
According to official documents accessed by Dawn, the newly-formed committee will be chaired by the Director of Domestic Cricket Operations, with other members including the Senior General Manager Domestic Operations, General Manager Domestic Linkages, Senior Manager Legal, and Assistant Manager Domestic Linkages.
Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability
The move has raised eyebrows across the cricketing community, particularly because no independent election commission (EC) is currently functioning within the PCB — a position that has been vacant for over 16 months.
According to Clause 9 of the PCB Constitution, any club dissatisfied with the scrutiny outcome has the right to appeal to the Election Commission within seven days. However, without a sitting EC, there’s currently no mechanism to process appeals, leaving clubs with no recourse if they wish to challenge decisions.
Tradition vs. Current Practice
Traditionally, club scrutiny has always been carried out independently, without the involvement of PCB officials. Critics argue that involving board personnel in the scrutiny process compromises fairness and violates the principle of natural justice.
Furthermore, Clause 29(4) of the PCB Constitution emphasizes that the Election Commission is responsible for preparing voter lists during the initial phases of regional and district elections. Allowing PCB officials to determine which clubs are eligible risks undermining the credibility of future elections at every level of the sport.
Elections on Hold in Key Regions
Due to the absence of an EC, elections in several major cricketing regions — including Sialkot, Multan, and Faisalabad — remain incomplete. The lack of progress is now fueling fears that the entire grassroots cricket structure could face disruptions.
Without urgent action from the PCB Patron (the Prime Minister) to appoint a new EC, stakeholders worry that the board’s current path could lead to a collapse of fair election procedures, threatening the autonomy of regional and district cricket.
Call for Reform and Independence
The cricketing community and experts are urging the PCB to reestablish an independent election body to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. Restoring confidence in the system is crucial for the health of Pakistan’s domestic cricket, starting at the club level.
Until then, the future of club cricket governance remains in limbo, and questions surrounding accountability and impartiality will continue to cast a shadow over the PCB’s internal processes.
