** PCB to finance ex-cricketer Munir Malik’s heart surgery **
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as part of its policy to provide assistance to former Test players has sanctioned a fund for ex-fast bowler Munir Malik to undergo a second bypass surgery.
The approval of funds for Munir Malik to have the surgery comes on the heels of the Board announcement to award two matches of the home series against South Africa this season as benefits to former Test players Shoaib Muhammad and Wasim Bari.
While Shoaib has been given a one-day side match against the touring side, Bari has been awarded the gate money rights of the One-day International in Karachi.
According to details, the Board took a decision on Munir Malik’s case when during a recent visit by the PCB chief Lt. General Tauqir Zia to his residence, former Test player Hasib Ahsan requested the Board to provide some assistance to the fast bowler who has been advised a second bypass operation by the specialists.
The 69-year-old Malik played three Tests and took nine wickets in 1961-62 also touring England with the senior team the same year. While one can only appreciate the Board’s gracious gesture to recognize the contribution of former Test players for their country one does feel it would be advisable for the PCB to offer assistance and benefits in an organized and fair manner.
Because while awarding benefit matches or financial assistance to former players, the Board must take into consideration the primary factor, which cricketer is in immediate and genuine need of financial help rather than giving benefits to those who are already well off and hold lucrative jobs.
There are numerous cases where some former players and even umpires have fallen on hard times and genuinely require financial assistance but unfortunately since either there is no one to plead their cases, they are not in the public spotlight or simply don’t have an approach to the Board, they are being ignored while other already well off individuals are taking advantage of the PCB Chairman’s gracious help policy.
And more importantly the Board would do well if it decides on a policy where not only just those players who got the opportunity to play for the country in Tests or One-day Internationals are provided help and assistance.
Because they are such players who have gone on tours abroad but never got a chance to play a Test or ODI but their contribution to Pakistan cricket is equally important. One example is that of Rusi Dinshaw, the only Parsi cricketer to be selected in a Pakistan team who went on the inaugural test tour to India in 1952 but never got a chance to play in any of the Test matches.
Dinshaw till sometime back was seen around the Hotel Metropole area in a very bad state and since than has just disappeared as he is said to have become mentally unstable. They are other cases also but the Board needs to dig them out rather than just awarding benefits to those who have already earned a lot from Pakistan cricket.
Thats a nice jesture by PCB. Ex players derserve something for the services provided over thr years.