The appointment of a new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces uncertainty, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsing present PCB head Najam Sethi, while a minister from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supports Zaka Ashraf.
Sethi’s term as PCB chairman ends on June 30, and the government has yet to announce a replacement. The PPP has nominated Ashraf, a former Test cricketer, for the post.
Sharif said on Saturday that he had “full confidence” in Sethi and that he should be allowed to continue as PCB chairman. He said that Sethi had done “a great job” in his tenure and that he had “transformed” the PCB.
However, PPP minister Faisal Karim Kundi said that the government should give Ashraf a chance to lead the PCB. He said that Ashraf was a “distinguished” cricketer and that he had the experience and skills necessary to lead the PCB.
The uncertainty over the appointment of a new PCB chairman is a setback for Pakistan cricket, which is already facing a number of challenges, including a poor performance in recent Test matches and a corruption scandal that has led to the suspension of several top players.
The appointment of a new chairman is seen as crucial to the future of Pakistan cricket, as the new chairman will be responsible for overseeing the board’s reforms and ensuring that the country’s cricket team is able to compete at the highest level.
It is unclear who will be appointed as the next PCB chairman. The government may dissolve the PCB’s governing body and appoint a new one, which would give it more control over the selection of the new chairman. The government may also decide to keep Sethi on as PCB chairman or to appoint Ashraf.
The Constitution of the PCB is very clear about the election of the chairman.
Para 6 of the PCB Constitution states: “There shall be a Chairman of the Board elected by the Board of Governors in accordance with paragraph 7 for a period of three years. The Chairman shall be eligible for re-election for one further term of three years provided that the total tenure of an individual as Chairman shall in no case exceed a period of six years.”
In addition, para 7 of the PCB constitution highlights the PCB chairman election process by stating that “a special meeting of the Board of Governors shall be convened to elect the Chairman from amongst the members of the Board of Governors, by a majority of the total voting membership of the Board of Governors.”
The uncertainty over the appointment of a new PCB chairman is likely to continue for some time. It is unclear when the government will make a decision on the matter. The delay in appointing a new chairman is a setback for Pakistan cricket, but it is also an opportunity for the government and the PCB to find a solution that is in the best interests of the game.
Here are some updates on the situation:
- On June 7, 2023, the PCB’s governing body met to discuss the appointment of a new chairman. The meeting ended without a decision being made.
- On June 8, 2023, the government said that it would not dissolve the PCB’s governing body. The government said that it would continue to work with the governing body to find a solution to the impasse.
- On June 9, 2023, the PCB’s governing body is scheduled to meet again to discuss the appointment of a new chairman. It is unclear if the meeting will result in a decision being made.