Daily Times

It will not be an exaggeration to label the horrific events of March 2009 which saw the Sri Lankan cricket team subjected to a heinous attack in Lahore, and the darker episode of the disgrace brought on by the spot-fixing scandal as the Anni Horribiles of Pakistan cricket. What followed was a shameful period in the history of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the organisation, charged with the well-being of Pakistan cricket, was seen as being handled in a manner akin to a corner-shop. The term ‘laughing stock’ became an often used way of describing the lack of professionalism and fiscal responsibility which seemed to be endemic at the PCB. The problem with the PCB’s image wasn’t simply limited to affairs in the country. The International Cricket Council (ICC) members’ apparent apathy towards any proposals or suggestions emanating from Pakistan were an obvious sign of the downward spiral faced by the PCB. It is in such conditions that Najam Sethi, an accomplished journalist and a visionary, walked in to take the reins of an organisation which was riddled with inefficiencies and where nepotism was a byword for its very existence.

Tasked with turning around the fortunes of an organisation which compared to similar ones from other countries was at the precipice of financial disaster, Sethi found an able partner in the likes of a seasoned ex-diplomat Shaharyar Khan. The rebuilding phase of the PCB thus began in earnest as far back as 2014 and has continued since.

As is tradition in many aspects of Pakistan’s political and social life, the positives of any person are easily forgotten in return for some quick wins by highlighting negatives. The same has applied to Sethi’s efforts in the last couple of years on behalf of Pakistan cricket. Thus the fact that he tried to move heaven and earth to ensure that an effort was made to restore India Pakistan cricket relations, when most other administrations in the past would have walked away and excused themselves by hiding behind some false sense of national pride, was given no importance. Nor was Sethi’s insistence on good governance in the PCB by the setting up of various committees or his insistence on examining and rectifying financial indulgences of past regimes.

But what the naysayers did not count upon were two major events that have truly established Sethi’s legacy as one of the top administrators for the PCB. In May of last year, the Zimbabwe cricket team became the first team since March 2009 to play an international game in Pakistan. The tour was arranged after intricate negotiations and had it not been for the single-minded tenacity of Sethi to pursue this landmark event for Pakistan cricket, this initiative would have fallen by the wayside as had been the case before. The reactions of the capacity crowds at the Gaddafi Stadium were testament to the joy that this tour brought to Pakistan. Granted that the security situation remains volatile but to arrange a series of this stature against all odds would have taken some organisation and thankfully for Pakistan, Sethi was up to the task.

Pakistan players had been suffering both financially and professionally due to non-participation in the lucrative and high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) and opportunities in other similar leagues were limited. What needed was Pakistan’s own version of an internationally renowned Twenty20 league and this is what the nation got in February of 2016. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) promised to give Pakistan a smile and something to be proud of and that is what Sethi delivered. Some of the world’s top players and their counterparts from Pakistan played the inaugural edition of the PSL, sometimes with the gusto reserved for their national teams. The PSL wasn’t just eye-candy, the financial gains to the PCB and its partners were immense and need no further clarification.

There were other significant gains as well for Pakistan along the way; the restoration of Mohammad Aamir at international level will be a milestone to be remembered for many years to come as was the introduction of the Pakistan Cup which was received by great enthusiasm by the crowds and players alike. Pakistan’s cricket is now alive and kicking and the dark days of depression seem to be falling behind. Yes, there is plenty of work to be done as was demonstrated by our performances in the World T20 but with the appointments of Inzamamul Haq and Mickey Arthur, Pakistan cricket seems to be moving in the right direction and with leaders like Sethi at the helm, one can only see bright days ahead.

(The writer is a senior editor for cricket related website www.pakpassion.net)