The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is embroiled in a major financial scandal following a recent audit by the Auditor General of Pakistan, which has exposed widespread irregularities, unauthorized appointments, and mismanagement of funds during the 2023 fiscal year. The audit has sparked nationwide debate over the governance of cricket in Pakistan and has intensified demands for accountability and structural reform at the board level.
One of the most alarming findings in the audit report is the series of unauthorized appointments made by the PCB. Key positions were filled without adhering to proper hiring procedures, including a senior media director who was hired, applied, and accepted the role on the same day. The report highlights that this individual was given a salary package far exceeding the approved scale, reflecting a complete disregard for transparency and process.
Further scrutiny revealed that under-16 coaches were appointed at the Karachi High-Performance Centre through informal arrangements. Their salaries amounted to over five million rupees without official sanction. These instances suggest systemic administrative failure and possible favoritism in recruitment practices.
Financial mismanagement extended to overpayments made to match officials and board members. The report states that millions were disbursed in the form of meeting allowances and daily charges, even when the number of meetings held was minimal. In one instance, management committee members received meeting allowances totaling over sixteen million rupees despite attending only five meetings. Additionally, allowances were issued to individuals who already held government positions, raising serious questions about double-dipping and misuse of public funds.
The audit also uncovered irregularities in procurement and contract awards. Media rights were sold below reserve prices, causing estimated losses of hundreds of millions. Key service contracts, including those for broadcasting and ticketing, were awarded without competitive bidding, undermining transparency and accountability. The use of public funds to cover expenses such as police meal allowances and fuel for PCB vehicles further illustrated the board’s casual approach to financial discipline.
Perhaps the most significant concern raised by the report is the lack of internal controls. The audit criticized PCB’s financial oversight mechanisms as weak and inconsistent, contributing to unchecked spending and possible corruption. This is exacerbated by political instability within the board, as three different chairmen led the PCB in the span of one year. Such frequent changes at the top have hindered continuity and effective policy implementation.
In response to the audit, calls for sweeping reforms have intensified. Critics argue that the PCB must establish stricter financial controls, enforce transparent hiring practices, and subject its contracts to competitive bidding processes. The report’s revelations are not just a wake-up call for cricket administrators but also a challenge to Pakistan’s broader system of public accountability.
With over thirty billion rupees flagged for financial irregularities, the PCB now finds itself under pressure from the Public Accounts Committee, parliament, and the cricket-loving public. Whether the board will embrace the necessary reforms or continue down a path of opaque operations remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that cricket governance in Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads.