PCB chairman Mani: 'Was brought back by Imran Khan to correct & improve Pakistan cricket'

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani revealed that he was brought back to 'improve' cricket in Pakistan and returned only on behest of Imran Khan after a gap of nearly 12 years. Speculations have been rife about Ehsan Mani being next potential candidate for role of ICC Chairman once Shashank Mahar's tenure ends. However, PCB chairman put all rumours to rest by revealing that his focus was to improve game in Pakistan and that he being at helm of affairs in ICC was t his nda. 

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'Imran had asked me to come' 

According to PTI, Ehsan Mani said that he was brought back to Pakistan cricket by current Prime Minister Imran Khan, who wanted him to 'correct and improve' game in country. Mani was ICC chairman from 2003 to 2006 following which he was absent from scene until he was roped in to lead PCB amid turbulent times including match-fixing scandals. Furr, Mani revealed that role of ICC chairman was t his 'nda' and that he was re to 'serve' Pakistan cricket. 

"Imran had asked me to come and work in Pakistan cricket. I have stayed away from cricket for nearly 12 years since my last term as ICC chief. So I didn't come back into game to serve ICC but only Pakistan cricket," veteran cricket administrator said.

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PCB gets Imran's backing to criminalise match-fixing

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also patron-in-chief of country's cricket board, has approved PCB's plan to revise its anti-corruption code and make match-fixing a criminal offence. According to a Pakistan Cricket Board source, green signal came when PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani met with Imran earlier this week where premier also gave clearance for national team to tour England despite COVID-19 pandemic.

"Imran supported draft copy of new laws and advised Mani to get it cleared by Law and or relevant ministries so that it can be tabled in parliament and become a written law," source said.

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Im credits: AP