Chairman PCB Mr Shaharyar M Khan has completed a tour of Azad Kashmir, NWFP and Sindh in which, apart from the main centres (Hyderabad and Peshawar), he visited Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, FATA, Kohat, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Shikarpur and Jacobabad. The object of Chairman's visit was (a)to assess ground facilities from grass-roots to first-class level, (b) to interact with District Cricket Associations (DCA), (c) to ensure merit and fair-play in selection matters and (d) to encourage grass-roots revival in the smaller towns and districts. It is the first time that a Chairman of PCB has visited smaller towns. Visits to Baluchistan, Southern and North Eastern Punjab will follow. The following policy decisions have been taken as a result of the Chairman's tour:

(i) With a view to encouraging cricket in the interior of the country, PCB has decided to schedule first-class cricket fixtures in smaller towns where first-class cricket facilities have been developed. Depending on the state of pitches, first-class fixtures will be scheduled in:

a) Mirpur
b) Nawabshah
c) Mirpurkhas
d) Kohat

The following grounds would also qualify for first-class status if pitches and ground improvement is maintained:

(a) Sukkur (b) Shikarpur (c) University Ground Peshawar (d) Thatta

(ii) In future, district championships would not be scheduled in high summer except where the climate is temperate e.g. Abbotabad, Muzaffarabad,Quetta and Karachi.

Ground Development
While several districts have developed excellent cricket grounds, other established sporting centres have been allowed to deteriorate through neglect and lack of maintenance so that no sporting activity can take place at these grounds. PCB is carrying out a survey of all grounds from first-class down to grass-roots level in order to provide optimum facilities for cricket development at all levels.

District Cricket Associations
Regular interaction between the District Cricket Associations (DCA) and Regional Development Officers (RDOs) has been stressed. An officer specially appointed by PCB would be monitoring interactions with DCAs, especially with a view to promoting cooperation and ensuring grass-roots activity encompassing procurement of grounds and club/school tournaments. DCAs would also be charged with promoting Women’s Cricket.

Abbas Zaidi
Director (Board Operations)

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Pakistan Cricket Board)