Wasim Khan, the PCB CEO, has resigned from his position four months before the end of his contract, the third big resignation since the arrival of Ramiz Raja as the new chairman of the board. Wasim follows the departures earlier this month of head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis, both of whom left after Ramiz’s formal appointment.
Wasim Khan’s statement
“When I arrived in 2019, there was a real need to build relationships and restore and enhance the global image and reputation of the PCB and Pakistan cricket,” Wasim said in a statement. “With decisive and strategic decision-making, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, we succeeded in earning the goodwill and respect of the global cricketing family, which I am hopeful will lead to increased international cricket being hosted in Pakistan in future.
“With a five-year strategy in place, new domestic structure in its third season and the investment in women’s cricket in an upward direction, I feel it is the right time to move on and reunite with my young family. They have sacrificed a lot so that I could fulfill my dreams of contributing to Pakistan cricket, which will always remain very close to my heart.”
Pakistan Cricket in Trouble
Wasim’s departure continues a period of uncertainty for Pakistan, with the new chairman starting to settle in the office, and the pullouts of New Zealand and England. That has affected Pakistan’s on-field preparations for the T20 World Cup; without the New Zealand and England T20Is, Pakistan will have played one out of the 12 games they had scheduled in the run-up to the event.
Wasim had four months left on his current contract, though he had been verbally offered another three-year term by the former chariman, Ehsan Mani. He was, however, thought to be undecided about whether he wanted to take that up, primarily because he was unsure how secure his role would be should Mani move on. Ramiz’s arrival has brought with it considerable change already, with the former cricketer having more power in the board than anyone before him in the same position.
Ramiz has been the more prominent face of the PCB’s response to the fallout from the tour cancellations and has held multiple meetings with players of the men’s national team, as well as PSL franchises. Wasim is also believed to not have had any influence in the appointments of Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander on to Pakistan’s coaching staff – all situations and decisions in which a board CEO would normally play a role.
What’s next for PCB
The chairman, as is becoming clear with Ramiz, still holds considerable power, but more at policy level. The chairman, according to the constitution, holds no final decision in the selection of national teams for any series or event or has the power of naming a captain and vice-captain, with the CEO performing that responsibility and the chairman only allowed the final say, for which the chairman will be briefed by the CEO.
But PCB will not name a replacement – permanent or interim – for Wasim at the moment. His departure is not expected to impact any operational matters and all signs point towards Ramiz, as chairman, taking on more of the role.
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