Pakistan Cricket is in a new mess. Two members of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have lodged a complaint in Lahore High Court against the new governing committee, challenging the elections. Pakistan Cricket elections are scheduled for June 27, Tuesday with Zaka Ashraf all set to take charge from Najam Sethi.
However, the challenge by Shakil Shaikh and Gul Zada — members of the last PCB Management Committee — is likely to delay the election process. Lahore High Court has set a hearing date on June 26, Monday.
With former PCB chairman Najam Sethi withdrawing his name from the race, Zaka Ashraf who is a nominee by Pakistan PM will contest the elections.
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The new committee will have a total of 10 members including four regional representatives, four from services besides two nominated by the PCB patron or the Pakistan PM. The new committee will serve for three years. However, as has been the trend, new PM brings in new faces on the board.
“The election of the PCB Chair will be held in a fair and transparent manner whilst adopting due process and ensuring completion of all legal formalities… on Tuesday, 27 June, at the PCB headquarters in Lahore. The election schedule will be issued after receiving nominations from the departments/service organisations,” PCB said in a statement.
But with Asia Cup 2023 and Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, the new board needs continuity and support from the government. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to oppose Pakistan’s hosting rights for the Champions Trophy and the PCB will need a strong negotiator to retain the rights.
BCCI won’t be sending Indian Cricket Team to Pakistan with the Indian government set to refuse any diplomatic ties with the neighbours.
For now, despite his grievances, incoming chairman Zaka Ashraf has agreed to honour the hybrid model of Asia Cup. In this arrangement, which has been approved by the Asian Cricket Council, Pakistan will host 4 matches. The tournament then moves to Sri Lanka where India will play their games. The final will also be played in Sri Lanka. The schedule is expected next week.
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