LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) approved a budget of Rs.916.36 million to spend on domestic cricket for the upcoming season in a Board of Governors (BoG) meeting which was held at the National Cricket Academy here on Monday. The approved budget for the fiscal year 2018-19 included an 89 percent increase in expenditure on domestic cricket as compared to the previous year. While reviewing previous year’s financial performance for 2017-18, the BoG noted that the PCB had very successfully achieved its income target, while the Pakistan Super League (PSL), in only its third year of operations, had emerged as the most successful brand in Pakistan and became a major source of revenue. The annual budget for fiscal year 2018-19 has a total income target of Rs.6.4 billion and expenditure of Rs.5.7 billion (without PSL). Budgeted income for 2018-19 is 133 percent more than previous year’s income of Rs.2.79 billion. The expense on cricket development, talent hunt, academies programs etc. is estimated at Rs.1 billion which is 52 percent more than the previous year. Out of total capital expenditure planned for the next financial year, Rs.2.66 billion has been allocated to building cricket related infrastructure mainly comprising of stadiums in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan and also for cricket academies in Lahore, Multan and Karachi. The BoG also noted the satisfactory shift towards enhancing revenue-generating activities and development of cricket-related facilities and infrastructure. It was also decided in the meeting to approve the PSL 2019 budget in the next quarter once the valuation of rights for the next cycle and underlying bidding process was completed. In his report, the PCB chairman Najam Sethi briefed the BoG on the infrastructure development projects carried out for revival of international cricket in the country. Sethi spoke about the upgradation of the National Stadium Karachi which enabled the venue to host the PSL final and the three-match T20I series against the West Indies in March-April this year. The stadium is currently undergoing the second stage of development work which should be completed in time before the next international matches and the PSL 2019 home fixtures. Sethi also briefed the BoG on the successful run of the Pakistan cricket team across the three formats on the tours of England and Ireland and the ongoing Zimbabwe tour. The BoG greatly appreciated the record breaking performances in the T20I format further strengthening Pakistan’s grip on the top of the ICC T20I Team Rankings. Sethi also spoke at length about the progress made by the national women’s team, following the recent appointments in the women’s wing and team management. Sethi added that the team was being run on professional lines after the induction of a foreign head coach. The team is preparing for major assignments later in the year including the Women’s World T20 set to be staged in the Caribbean. Elaborate plans are also being made to encourage young girls at the grass-root level. In this regard five new academies dedicated for women cricketers will be set up across the country. The BoG also appreciated the ongoing talent hunt and grooming programs in regional academies across the country, while the BoG was also updated on the proceedings in the National Cricket Academy’s High Performance Camp (HPC). The BoG also appreciated PCB’s efforts in shifting the Asia Cup from India to the UAE, the tournament is scheduled to be staged in September this year. Meanwhile, Sethi welcomed FATA’s Kabir Ahmed Khan who has been inducted as the new BOG member. Published in Daily Times, July 17th 2018.