ICC Chief Executive defends Pakistan Task Team's proposals

Islamabad, July 14(ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC)'s proposals for overhauling the sport in Pakistan were the result of numerous consultations with many stakeholders in the game in Pakistan as well as regular dialogue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has said.

Lorgat said that PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad had received the Pakistan Task Team (PTT) report over a week prior to the ICC Executive Board meeting in Hong Kong in June, and he had provided only minor observations which were incorporated into the final report.

"Many of the recommendations touched on governance issues and structures of the PCB and their relationship with the Government. At the ICC Annual Conference in Hong Kong not one single voice was raised in objection to the change in articles of association which regulate against government interference in cricket," Lorgat wrote in an article for the Daily Times.

"It must be remembered that the ICC role was to assist Pakistan cricket with constructive recommendations and the onus is now on the PCB to decide whether it wishes to embrace the recommendations in the same spirit they were made for the good of cricket in their country," he added.

Lorgat's remarks come after PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said that the report was a "scholarly exercise" that has not made substantial steps to restart international cricket in Pakistan.

The PTT had presented a report at an ICC meeting last month with 63 recommendations - including changes to governance and moves to revive matches with India.

"While the intent (of the PTT) cannot be questioned, a few discrepancies can be identified in the report, which PCB has rectified and sent to the ICC in the hope it's taken in a positive spirit," Butt said.

He also rejected a PTT recommendation that the PCB chief should not be appointed by Pakistan's President, who is also patron of the PCB.

"The circumstances in Pakistan are unique and cricket administration requires and deserves government support. Without government support international cricket may not return to the country," Butt said.

The PTT was formed to revive international tours of Pakistan, suspended after a terror attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, and to strengthen the game in the country which has been battered by allegations of spot-fixing. (ANI)