PCB to avoid a standoff with ICC regarding ban on govt interference in cricket boards' functioning

Karachi, Apr 17(ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is trying to avoid a stand-off with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the ban on government interference in cricket boards' functioning.

PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf, accompanied by the board's chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed and legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi, had discussed the matter with the ICC on the sidelines of its executive board meeting in Dubai.

An official close to the case ruled out chances of disagreement with the sport's world governing body.

"It's a complex issue. At the moment, the PCB is also not 100% clear on what to do. It's a situation like fixing a puzzle as things will be sorted out in order. But there are no chances of confrontation as the PCB will look to resolve the matter by taking the ICC into confidence. The matter was discussed cordially in the recent meeting," The Express Tribune quoted an official, as saying.

The ICC has set March 2013 as deadline for cricket boards to implement the plan that proposes the removal of all kinds of government interference in its annual general meeting in 2011.

The official added that the ICC's priority is to ensure that cricket boards are run in a democratic manner.

"The ICC wants every official of the board to go through an electoral process. It has no major issues with the president being the patron-in-chief as it appreciates his role in promotion of the game," he said

The official added that mater is likely to get sorted out in a few months before the ICC annual conference takes place in June. (ANI)