The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Faisal Hasnain, who has served the game in the UAE and held various top positions in other sports, as their new Chief Executive. He is a UK qualified Chartered Accountant and was the Chief Financial Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for 13 years.

Faisal Hasnain

As a qualified Chartered Accountant, Faisal Hasnain used his educational qualifications and skills to serve cricket, a sport that he always fond of. After serving as Chief Financial Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2002-2008 & 2010-2017 he went on to become the Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket. A fine speaker with the ability to critically analyse sports made his talks on YouTube on Integrity in Sports and in another instance about Understanding Finance in Sports won him many followers.

After his ICC days, he served golf in Dubai by holding various top posts. He first became the Chief Operating officer of Dubai Golf and then went on to hold the post of Chief Executive Officer for two years. He also was the Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Event Management Company in 2008. Hasnain has worked with prestigious organisations before serving the ICC. He was Financial Controller, Citigroup/Saudi American Bank, London – 1992-2002, Manager, Ernst & Young, Riyadh – 1989-1992, Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Finance, Chase Manhattan, Karachi – 1986-1989 and Senior Auditor, Westbury & Company, London – 1979-1985.

Hasnain will take charge as the new Chief Executive from January 2022. He will carry with him the knowledge and experience of managing the overall financial portfolio of around $3billion and was also involved in the sale of the ICC’s commercial rights for the 2007-2015 and the 2016-2023 commercial cycles.

Hasnain also played an important role in lifting Zimbabwe from troubled times by being instrumental in the refinancing of their commercial debts, arriving at the financial arrangements between ZC and the ICC, securing ZC’s funding and status within the ICC, and securing hosting rights for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 – Zimbabwe’s first global event in 15 years.
Karachi born Hasnain will now serve the country of his birth.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s Chairman, Ramiz Raja, who is keen to appoint highly qualified people in top positions at the PCB and has also been bringing in experienced cricketers to serve the game, said: “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Faisal Hasnain as the PCB’s Chief Executive and welcome him to the Pakistan cricket family. Faisal is a familiar figure in world cricket and is highly regarded, respected and trusted for his excellence in corporate governance, financial management and commercial acumen. With the plans I have for the PCB, Faisal will be a perfect fit as he can utilise his vast experience and knowledge to help us achieve our commercial and financial objectives of making Pakistan cricket bigger and stronger.”

Speaking about his appointment, Hasnain said: “I feel honoured and privileged to have been awarded with this once in a lifetime opportunity to serve Pakistan cricket and thank the PCB Chairman and the Board of Governors for having the confidence in my capabilities. I am fully committed to playing my part in delivering the PCB Chairman’s vision for Pakistan cricket, fulfilling the expectations and dreams of millions of passionate Pakistan cricket fans and strengthening the relationships with our existing commercial partners, the ICC and other Cricket Boards and developing new partnerships as we move forward.

“These are highly exciting times in Pakistan cricket and I look forward to working very closely with my colleagues at the PCB so that we can collectively further enhance the image, reputation and profile of this great institution.”