It’s a win-win situation with offshore matches

Chandigarh: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ijaz Butt, spoke to The Telegraph on Monday morning.

The interview was conducted at the classy bungalow of an old friend of his, industrialist Jagdip Singh.

Butt, incidentally, played eight Tests between 1959-1962. The one-time ’keeper-batsman is 71 now.

The following are excerpts

 

QYou’re one cricket board chief who is always in the news...

A (Grins) I hope it’s for good reasons!

Later in the day, you’re expected to have informal talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Shashank Manohar. Are you, so to say, confident of a breakthrough?

What I’d like to emphasise is that the BCCI has been helpful towards us and we’ve been getting their support on most of our issues...

But what about the bitterness caused in matters relating to the 2011 World Cup, including the shifting of the secretariat from Lahore to Mumbai?

Well, one has to be realistic and the reality is that teams just aren’t willing to play in Pakistan... After saying yes, Zimbabwe declined to send even its U-19 team, because some of the parents had strong reservations... It’s something that has to be accepted.

The BCCI isn’t keen, but you’re very interested in playing India at an offshore venue.

That’s correct, but I’d rather not say anything much till something gets finalised...We’ve got the option of playing in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and also the UK... One could look at other venues, in Asia and beyond, as well... Malaysia, South Africa... As I told you last evening, I’m hopeful... Dekhen kya hota hai... I wouldn’t like to comment prematurely.

As regards the IPL, would your government and the PCB itself okay the Pakistani players’ participation in the third edition, next year?

Of course... There would be no restrictions either from the government or from the PCB. We’ve conveyed that to the IPL’s governing body.

With so much of offshore cricket involving Pakistan, don’t you think even an improvement in the security environment may not impress others and they could still insist on offshore venues only?

That’s not the fear... Our cricketers have to play at the international level, even if, for now, it can only be in Dubai/Abu Dhabi and the UK as the ‘host’ team... In the circumstances, it’s a win-win situation with the offshore matches.

How soon do you expect international cricket to resume in Pakistan?

If I could put a date, I would’ve said yesterday! Frankly, it’s difficult to say anything with certainty... The International Cricket Council will, first, have to give its security clearance... We, in Pakistan, have to go with how the rest of the world views the situation in our country.

Why is the PCB dragged into controversies? Also, aren’t some influential people in Karachi trying to destabilise it?

I can handle those elements... My conscience is clear... I know I’m doing my best to promote cricket in Pakistan... What upsets me is when sections of the media distort facts and give a totally incorrect picture... That, indeed, is worrying.

You’ve always been supporting Younis Khan to the hilt...

Younis is an asset and he’s a fine captain... The boys respond to him very well... He’ll remain the Test and ODI captain as long as he’s in form and stays fit.

Shahid Afridi is the T20 captain. What’s going to happen if Younis takes back his T20-specific retirement?

(Laughs) We’ll cross that bridge once we get there.

Whenever your team loses, the National Assembly’s standing committee on sports gets into the act, summoning the captain and coach for rather unnecessary grilling. What’s your take?

It’s not correct to say that the National Assembly doesn’t applaud the Pakistan team’s successes. The members gave a standing ovation, which was unprecedented, when Younis and the boys won the World T20... I’ve written to the appropriate authority that, in future, no player or coach be summoned... Instead, I’ll be happy to answer questions and give clarifications... The committee has the right to ask questions and demand clarifications. The National Assembly, remember, is the supreme body as its members represent the public.

So, in future, no captain and coach will be summoned?

Let’s see, I’ve already requested... Calling them causes unnecessary tension. (After a pause) The No.1 item on the committee’s agenda, after the Champions Trophy, was the last-ball loss to Australia... Tell me, how can somebody fix a match in such a manner? If somebody could do it, then he’s a genius beyond anybody’s imagination... It’s so unfortunate that this match-fixing thing comes up after every defeat. Winning and losing is part of the game, it’s just that the effort shouldn’t be lacking.

What’s the biggest challenge for the PCB?

In a general context, ensuring that teams get to play in Pakistan and, specifically, ensuring a quick resumption of bilateral exchanges with India.

The final one: What’s the biggest change from the time you played and now?

In my time, playing for the country was seen as an honour... Today, it’s all about money and more money... That’s the way it is, now, but I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed.