Media Release - 10 June 2005

Report on the PCB Ad-hoc Committee meeting

The PCB's Ad-hoc Committee met at the Gaddafi Stadium on 10 June under PCB Chairman, Mr Shaharyar M Khan. The following were the main decisions and policy guidelines adopted by the Ad-hoc Committee:

Central Contracts
The Ad-hoc Committee approved the continuation of Central Contracts for another year. The Committee decided the present Points System method of categorization had been successful and that additional points should be included to provide individual incentives for high performance. Accordingly, the following additional points would be given to players:

One-year Contracts would be given from 10th July, 2005 with a 6 months review for cricketers who have been unfit or under scrutiny for illegal bowling actions.

The Committee also decided that, apart from the existing bonus of 20% shared between all players for each win, an additional 10% would be paid for a series win.

The Ad-hoc Committee further agreed that a special stipend should be given to the bench squad players who would be prepared through fitness training and coaching to step-up into the national team.

The names of the players being given Central Contracts as also of the bench squad will be announced shortly, after consultation with the Selection Committee.

Fazal Mahmood Commemoration
The Ad-hoc Committee decided to have a befitting commemoration for Pakistan's recently deceased cricketing icon Mr Fazal Mahmood. A Committee headed by Mr Imtiaz Ahmed and comprising Mr Zulfiqar Ahmed and Mr Iftikhar Bukhari was appointed to recommend appropriate proposals within a week for a memorial for Fazal Mahmood. Cricket enthusiasts from the public are encouraged to send in their own suggestions on this proposal directly to Mr Imtiaz Ahmed c/o PCB Headquarters.

National and Regional Academies The Ad-hoc Committee was given a briefing on the recommendations of the Academies Committee headed by Mr Haroon Rashid. After a thorough discussion, it was decided that a final paper would be prepared by Mr Saleem Altaf (DCO) in one month's time on the policy guidelines and staffing for the National and Regional Academies that would be approved by the Ad-hoc Committee.

Meanwhile it was decided that work should begin on upgrading the facilities of the regional Academies that needed to be brought up to basic standards.

Regional set-up
The Committee reviewed proposals for the fine-tuning of the regional cricketing set-up in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and gave its approval in principle to the proposals made at the meeting details of which are being finalized.

The draft Constitution
The Committee was informed that Justice Bhandari's final draft would be completed in the next few days. The Committee agreed that the document should be presented to the Patron immediately on receipt.

West Indies Tour
Mr Saleem Altaf gave a briefing on the recently completed West Indies tour. The Committee expressed its satisfaction at the success of the tour and congratulated the team and Management on their achievements. The Ad-hoc Committee noted that PCB would begin preparations for the forthcoming England and India series based on a plan to be prepared on the return of National Coach Bob Woolmer and Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Improvement of Stadiums
The Committee agreed that immediate steps should be taken for the improvement of Stadiums in readiness for the series against England and India. The improvements related to:

(a) Installation of Floodlights, Electronic scoreboards and video screens in Multan, Faisalabad and Peshawar Stadiums.
(b) Improvements to make the Stadiums spectator friendly i.e ticket booths, drinking-water, shade, clean toilets, signage etc.

Abbas Zaidi
Director (Board Operations)

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Pakistan Cricket Board)