LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja has issued an indirect yet stern warning to the board’s officials drawing handsome salaries: “everyone will have to work to justify their positions.” The PCB chairman was speaking to the board’s employees which included its directors, lower management and ground staff members at the Imran Khan Enclosure in Gaddafi Stadium two days ago. Ramiz stressed on employees of the board to reduce expenses and save costs, adding that he had been told by the Prime Minister himself how he saved expenses at the Prime Minister House and the Prime Minister Office. “We have to cut the expenses of the board. Have one cup of tea instead of two, use the air conditioner less and turn off the lights when you leave your offices,” said the PCB chairman.
Focusing on his plans to reform Pakistan cricket, the former Pakistan captain said the board has to ensure that the cricket team becomes the best one in the world. “If our team does not become the number one team in the world, there is no reason for all of us to stay here,” he said. “We have to work to justify our presence here.”
Raja said his sole focus was in uplifting Pakistan cricket, adding that the sport had to be reformed at the grassroots level, which also included improving the condition of pitches in Pakistan. This is not the first time that Raja has issued stern directives for PCB officials. On Friday, the PCB chairman delivered a strict message to the coaches of domestic provincial teams, saying that “people who will do a good job will stay, others will go home.” Raja, while criticising the coaches, issued them clear directives to improve their performances. The PCB chairman expressed distrust over the coaches’ performances and questioned their role in team selection.