The Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held their 59th meeting at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore on Monday.

The BoG, in accordance with PCB Constitution 2019 Clause 12(1)(c), unanimously approved the appointment of four independent members. They are: Mr Javed Kurieshi, Mr Arif Saeed, Mr Aasim Wajid Jawad and Ms Alia Zafar. Mr Javed Kurieshi and Mr Arif Saeed have been appointed to the BoG for a three-year period, while Mr Aasim Wajid Jawad and Ms Alia Zafar have been appointed for a two-year period.

Following the appointment of the four independent members, the new BoG has been formed. The remaining three members on the BoG will be appointed following completion of the election process at the Cricket Association level.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “I want to congratulate and thank all the respected outgoing BoG members for their outstanding contributions to Pakistan cricket. Following promulgation of the new PCB Constitution in 2019, these distinguished members, on my request, had agreed to continue through the transitional period and provide the PCB management appropriate guidance through their knowledge and insight.

“The fact that these BoG members unanimously approved the appointment of the independent members, which now changes the outlook and composition of the BoG, illustrates their respect for the PCB Constitution 2019 and Pakistan cricket at heart.

ALSO READ: PSL 5 playoffs: Multan Sultans provide update on players’ arrival

“However, the PCB will continue to benefit from their experience and understanding, by including them as members on the Cricket Associations’ interim executive committees (IECs), which will be confirmed shortly. The first and the most critical assignment of the IECs will be to supervise the registration of clubs so that cricketing activities can resume at the grassroots level.

“I welcome the newly-appointed independent members to the BoG, especially Ms Alia Zafar, the first female independent member, which is a giant step forward in enhancing the PCB’s governance structure.

“The four new members bring with them a wealth of diverse knowledge that will only improve the professional outlook and working of the PCB. These four individuals are highly respected and proven performers in their respective professional lives and we aim to benefit from their knowledge in our efforts to improve our governance.”

About the independent members:

Alia Zafar: Has Master of Arts and MBA degrees, and is a Human Resource specialist with Diploma/Certification in Learning, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurs from Germany and INSEAD France. Her experience includes HR Group Head Bank of Punjab, HR Country Head Askari Bank, HR Lead Expert with Crown Agents America, UNDP and USAID in a variety of corporate sectors, including Agha Khan Foundation in four continents. She is a HR specialist with experience in capacity-building, corporate governance, organisational design and performance evaluation Captain of School Cricket Team.

Javed Kureishi: Has a Bachelor of Arts (degree from University of Sussex) along with 34-year banking experience with Citibank in senior positions, including Group Head/CEO in Asia Pacific, Czech Republic, Egypt, Africa, Middle East and Pakistan Currently. He is a member of Karachi Stock Exchange. He has played first-class cricket and captained Pakistan Under-19 cricket team on the tours of India and Sri Lanka in 1979. He demonstrates strong links with successful business community in the corporate sector at home and abroad. He is the son of renowned cricket commentator Omer Kureishi.

Aasim Wajid Jawad: Has a BSc degree Economics (Hons) from London School of Economics with early education at the University of Michigan. He is also a Fellow Chartered Accountant of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Currently, he is Group Head of Strategy and Transformation at Bank Alfalah, leading a team of 150 people. He has worked with EY and Deloitte in London for several years in corporate finance involving technology, media and telecommunication sectors. He has hands-on experience in risk management and digital technologies and has deep interest in cricket having played at school and LSE university level.

Arif Saeed: He is an Aitchisonian, a member of Aitchison Board of Governors and holder of Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree from Oxford University. Currently, he is the Chairman of Service Industries. Other top corporate positions he has held over the past 15 years include Chairman of APTMA, Lahore Stock Exchange, TEVTA, and Director Institute of Development and Economic Alternative IDEAS. He played Rugby for over 15 years and is the co-founder and President of Pakistan Rugby Union that has become a full voting member of World Rugby. He demonstrates strong links with the business community in the corporate sector and has deep interest in cricket, hailing hails from a cricketing family.