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Entrusted with the position of the COO for the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2010, Subhan Ahmed – a double MBA in Marketing as well as in Finance – has impressed one and all with his dedication and professionalism ever since he joined the organization in 1994 and worked through the ranks. As Senior General Manager of International Cricket, apart from secondment stints with the ICC, Subhan planned and managed Pakistan International Home and Away tours as well as planning and management of senior and junior future tour programmes.
In recent remarks to PakPassion.net, Subhan spoke on the impact of the incident-free five-match rubber where the visiting Kenyans – the first non-Asian team to visit Pakistan since March 2009 – featured against Pakistan ‘A’ and how it can help in restoration of international tours by other teams as well.
By Amir Husain (25th December,2014)
PakPassion.net : Do you feel that the visit by the Kenyan team would go a long way in reducing any fears about security for visiting teams?
Subhan Ahmad : As was clear to all, the Kenyan team was provided with presidential-level security. We have filmed the event and we feel that it will help convince ICC and other teams around the world to tour Pakistan in the future. With the success of this tour, convincing other teams would be easier now. If Kenya can tour Pakistan then why can’t the other teams? It is also a matter of great comfort to us that some of the other teams promised us that if we hold a successful event first then they will be willing to tour too. Therefore, the outcome of this tour is very important and heartening as well.
PakPassion.net : Any firm plans for 2015 on that score?
Subhan Ahmad : We are in the process of negotiations with some Boards, and I am optimistic that 2015 shall definitely be the year to open the doors for us with top drawer full-member teams following up after a sequence of visits by various European and in Asian sides.
PakPassion.net : You must have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of public support on display during these game?
Subhan Ahmad : I was thoroughly impressed by the support in the stadiums and the general sentiments about this tour. Despite the hardships and fears of security, spectator presence shows that Pakistan cricket supporters have the same enthusiasm and support to bring cricket back to the country. This successful tour was our first attempt to bring cricket back to Pakistan and we are happy to bring the vibrancy and color back to the stadiums.
PakPassion.net : The tragic events in Peshawar must have been a matter of concern for the organizers. How did the Kenya team feel about the situation?
Subhan Ahmad : Obviously, like all peace loving people of the world, the Kenya team expressed their condolences and sympathies for the victims and survivors of the Peshawar incident. However, the Kenyan team did play on despite the deadly Peshawar attacks and expressed no reservations [on staying on and completing the tour]. They trusted our security measures and its execution, so we are grateful to the visiting team but more importantly, they showed the world that security in Pakistan is of highest quality and other teams should have no reason to hold back on this account.
PakPassion.net : How are the plans for the PSL coming along?
Subhan Ahmad : The PSL is in the hands of the PCB and there is definite progress in this area and we are hoping to hold an event in early 2016. We have also formed a committee to review and work towards it. The PSL is an important aspect of our future plans and represents a key item for the development of cricket in Pakistan.
PakPassion.net : Looking back at your own career at the PCB, what have been the ups and downs of your association with the organization?
Subhan Ahmad : Like anything in life, there are always highs and lows in any endeavour. Personally speaking, it was a difficult and a trying time back in 2009/2010 when Pakistan was hit by spot-fixing and terrorist activities. Given some of the organizational issues, it is no secret that working with the PCB has at times been a tough gig but to our immense credit, we have done an honest job to keep the on-field and off-field activities intact and have tried to improve with time. Hopefully, we will continue with the same intensity in the future to improve the quality of the game in Pakistan. Like any organization of its size and purview, there are still some negativeness and drawbacks which we are working on, in order to have a proper professional organization.
PakPassion.net : How do you intend to tackle the issue of infrastructure for Pakistan cricket?
Subhan Ahmad : As has been pointed out by many experts and observers alike, our infrastructure is lagging behind other countries. There are a variety of reasons behind this deficiency but rest assured that with the Kenya tour out of the way and a resounding success, we will now be focussing very carefully on this aspect which has been neglected in the past.
Subhan Ahmad : As was clear to all, the Kenyan team was provided with presidential-level security. We have filmed the event and we feel that it will help convince ICC and other teams around the world to tour Pakistan in the future. With the success of this tour, convincing other teams would be easier now. If Kenya can tour Pakistan then why can’t the other teams? It is also a matter of great comfort to us that some of the other teams promised us that if we hold a successful event first then they will be willing to tour too. Therefore, the outcome of this tour is very important and heartening as well.
PakPassion.net : Any firm plans for 2015 on that score?
Subhan Ahmad : We are in the process of negotiations with some Boards, and I am optimistic that 2015 shall definitely be the year to open the doors for us with top drawer full-member teams following up after a sequence of visits by various European and in Asian sides.
PakPassion.net : You must have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of public support on display during these game?
Subhan Ahmad : I was thoroughly impressed by the support in the stadiums and the general sentiments about this tour. Despite the hardships and fears of security, spectator presence shows that Pakistan cricket supporters have the same enthusiasm and support to bring cricket back to the country. This successful tour was our first attempt to bring cricket back to Pakistan and we are happy to bring the vibrancy and color back to the stadiums.
PakPassion.net : The tragic events in Peshawar must have been a matter of concern for the organizers. How did the Kenya team feel about the situation?
Subhan Ahmad : Obviously, like all peace loving people of the world, the Kenya team expressed their condolences and sympathies for the victims and survivors of the Peshawar incident. However, the Kenyan team did play on despite the deadly Peshawar attacks and expressed no reservations [on staying on and completing the tour]. They trusted our security measures and its execution, so we are grateful to the visiting team but more importantly, they showed the world that security in Pakistan is of highest quality and other teams should have no reason to hold back on this account.
PakPassion.net : How are the plans for the PSL coming along?
Subhan Ahmad : The PSL is in the hands of the PCB and there is definite progress in this area and we are hoping to hold an event in early 2016. We have also formed a committee to review and work towards it. The PSL is an important aspect of our future plans and represents a key item for the development of cricket in Pakistan.
PakPassion.net : Looking back at your own career at the PCB, what have been the ups and downs of your association with the organization?
Subhan Ahmad : Like anything in life, there are always highs and lows in any endeavour. Personally speaking, it was a difficult and a trying time back in 2009/2010 when Pakistan was hit by spot-fixing and terrorist activities. Given some of the organizational issues, it is no secret that working with the PCB has at times been a tough gig but to our immense credit, we have done an honest job to keep the on-field and off-field activities intact and have tried to improve with time. Hopefully, we will continue with the same intensity in the future to improve the quality of the game in Pakistan. Like any organization of its size and purview, there are still some negativeness and drawbacks which we are working on, in order to have a proper professional organization.
PakPassion.net : How do you intend to tackle the issue of infrastructure for Pakistan cricket?
Subhan Ahmad : As has been pointed out by many experts and observers alike, our infrastructure is lagging behind other countries. There are a variety of reasons behind this deficiency but rest assured that with the Kenya tour out of the way and a resounding success, we will now be focussing very carefully on this aspect which has been neglected in the past.