Zaka Ashraf’s status as PCB chief to be reassessed after World Cup 2023: PM
"A major event is in progress. At this point in time, we do not want to take any big decisions," Kakar says
November 04, 2023
- PM says "not a good time to make a big decision".
- Zaka Ashraf's four-month tenure ends today.
- Shahid Afridi likely to get important role in PCB.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar confirmed on Friday that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf will retain his position till the end of the ongoing ICC Men's World Cup 2023, The News reported.
Ashraf, who replaced Najam Sethi as the head of PCB in July this year, was set to bid adieu to the top post after his four-month term was set to expire today (Saturday).
However, the government has decided that Ashraf's fate will be reassessed after the World Cup.
The confirmation by the premier, who is also Patron in Chief of the Board, came during an interview for a private television channel on Friday.
"A major event is in progress. At this point in time, we do not want to make any big decisions. Once the World Cup concludes his status will be reassessed. I don’t think at this point of time we are in a position to make a big decision. At times you have to make decisions considering the doctrine of necessity,” PM Kakar said.
The World Cup 2023 ends on November 19, and it is generally believed that Zaka’s extension depends on the Pakistan cricket team’s performance in the World Cup.
Zaka’s tenure as the PCB MC chairman ends today, but he is expected to get a 15-day extension to participate in the ICC Board meeting scheduled in India on November 17-18.
The development comes at a time when he is facing allegations of flagrant misdoings and unconstitutional decisions from a member of his own management committee.
Zulfiqar Malik, a member of the management committee, raised these allegations in an email addressed to Ashraf and the management committee, ESPNcricinfo reported.
Meanwhile, former star all-rounder Shahid Afridi is likely to get a "key role" in the PCB following his meeting with the prime minister, The News reported on Thursday.
The board and Ashraf have been engulfed in controversies following the resignation of now-former chief selector Inzamam ul Haq, and Green Shirts' skipper Babar Azam's private chat with a senior PCB official being leaked.
