ISLAMABAD: In a recent development, Prime Minister Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar of Pakistan announced that Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, will retain his position until the conclusion of the ongoing ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.
Zaka Ashraf had taken over as PCB Chairman in July of the same year, and his initial four-month term was set to expire soon.
The government has decided to delay any decision regarding Ashraf’s future until after the World Cup. Prime Minister Kakar, who also serves as the Patron in Chief of the Board, made this announcement during an interview with a private television channel. He emphasized the importance of not making significant decisions during such a crucial sporting event, citing the “doctrine of necessity.”
The fate of Zaka Ashraf’s extension as PCB Chairman is believed to depend on the performance of the Pakistan cricket team in the World Cup, which is set to conclude on November 19. It’s expected that he will receive a 15-day extension to participate in the ICC Board meeting scheduled for November 17-18 in India.
This decision comes amid allegations of wrongdoing and unconstitutional decisions leveled against Zaka Ashraf by a member of his management committee, Zulfiqar Malik, who addressed these concerns in an email to Ashraf and the management committee.
Furthermore, former star all-rounder Shahid Afridi is reportedly in line for a significant role within the PCB following his meeting with the prime minister, as reported by The News. The PCB and Zaka Ashraf have faced controversies, including the resignation of the former chief selector Inzamam ul Haq and the leak of a private chat between the team’s captain, Babar Azam, and a senior PCB official.
