BCCI appoints new General Manager for cricket operations

The Board Of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed the former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim as the General Manager for cricket operations. The board was looking for a new GM after MV Sridhar resigned from the position following conflict of interest issues.

Karim’s name was being considered for a long time and the only other notable former player in contention was that of Venkatesh Prasad who is currently serving as the chief of the junior selection committee. Karim will assume office from January 1 and he will report to the CEO, Rahul Johri.

Karim’s career

The wicketkeeper-batsman had a short international career that spanned over 34 ODIs and a lone Test match. However, he had a long and fulfilling first-class and List A career that spanned close to 240 games. A prolific run-getter, Karim holds a first-class average of 56.66 with 22 centuries and 33 half-centuries that helped him amass over 7000 runs while playing for Bihar first and later for Bengal. His career-best score in FC cricket is 234 against Orissa. Karim picked up an eye injury while keeping wickets for India that ended a promising career.

“Some of the major responsibilities of Mr Karim include giving strategic direction to the cricket department, implementing the operational plans, budgeting, determining and monitoring the compliance of match playing regulations, standards of venues, administration of Domestic Program,” the BCCI said in a release.

His knowledge of the game and his corporate experience makes him just the right man for the job. The former cricketer has also been part of the national selection committee, apart from donning the experts’ hat during his television commentary stint.

The Indian team is currently playing a three match T20I series against Sri Lanka after which they will move to South Africa. 2017 has been a golden year for Indian cricket with a string of series wins and the players smashing numerous records. However, the real test lies in 2018 which will see India face top oppositions in the world away from home.