Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf make final push for PCB’s top job

The race for the prestigious role of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman has intensified, as prospective candidates engaged in a hectic day of lobbying and showcasing their qualifications in the capital city.

One of the key players in this race is Najam Sethi, the current chairman of the Management Committee (MC). Sethi met with PCB patron-in-chief Shahbaz Sharif to discuss his candidacy and garner support. Simultaneously, former Chairman Zaka Ashraf, who belongs to the PPP (Pakistan People's Party), held a meeting with Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsan Mazari, seeking his endorsement for the chairman position.

Ashraf, known for his prior experience as the PCB chairman, enjoys strong backing from Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto, the leaders of the PPP. During their hour-long meeting, Minister Ehsan Mazari assured Zaka Ashraf of his party's complete support, aligning with the PPP's policy.

With the term of the PCB management committee set to expire on June 21, the Prime Minister's office has issued an official letter nominating two individuals for the new PCB chairman role. Ashraf remains hopeful of being nominated for this influential position.

Mazari expressed his reservations about Najam Sethi's potential candidacy, pointing out that Sethi's role was limited to overseeing the electoral process of the board, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest.

“Najam Sethi was only responsible for ensuring the electoral process of the board, so how is it possible that the person who conducted the elections becomes a hopeful candidate himself? This will be a clash of interests. Zaka Ashraf is an experienced board chairman, and the party's top leadership has decided to fully support him,” Mazari said

“We hope and expect that we will soon be receiving Zaka Ashraf's name as one of the PM nominees for the post of PCB Chairman. The summary we have moved recently was carrying his name with a request to the PM,” he added.

Ultimately, the decision on the new PCB chairman will be made during a special meeting of the PCB Board of Governors, where one of the nominated individuals will be chosen for the position. The outcome of this selection process will have significant implications for the future direction and administration of Pakistan cricket.