PCB looks to make the media a scapegoat

ASFIA AFZAL

KARACHI: According to Zaka Ashraf, Chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), international cricket in Pakistan is almost ‘drenching’ due to bad publicity from the media.

Ashraf asked media to cut down on the negative coverage about sports and sportsperson of Pakistan, in an effort to bring back international cricket to the country.

“I think the media needs to be more responsible while reporting on cricket issues as there is lot of stress on negativity,” Ashraf said.

This is not the first time the Pakistani media has been accused of irresponsible reporting. Ashraf’s predecessor Ijaz Butt had made no bones about his disliking for the media and rarely attempted to interact with them.

"If we are to bring back international cricket to Pakistan I think the media will have to play a very positive role in this," he added.

Ashraf seems disappointed by the role of media in Pakistan as they focus more on negative stories and ‘trivial matters’ in a bid to increase readership.

"The media has an important role to play and I think they need to be more balanced and positive," concluded Ashraf.