As the tenure of current PCB Chairman Najam Sethi nears an end (June 2023), the race for the top spot at the Pakistan Cricket Board has picked up pace again, where Former Chairman Zaka Ashraf and current Chairman Najam Sethi are contesting for the slot.
Ashraf, a close aide and friend of PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, has the backing of the party. He served as PCB chairman from 2011 to 2014, and is seen as a safe pair of hands. Sethi, on the other hand, is a former banker and businessman who has served as PCB chairman twice, in 2017-18 and again from December 2022 to the present. He is seen as a more progressive and reform-minded leader, and has the support of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The two men have very different visions for the PCB. Ashraf is seen as a more traditional cricket administrator, while Sethi is more of a business-minded executive. Ashraf is focused on improving Pakistan’s cricketing performance, while Sethi is more interested in commercializing the game and developing the finances.
It is unclear who will ultimately be appointed PCB chairman. The decision will ultimately be made by the Prime Minister, who will likely weigh the different factors involved, including the candidates’ experience, qualifications, and vision for the Pakistan Cricket Board.
In the meantime, the two men are campaigning hard for the job. Ashraf has been meeting with provincial cricket associations and other stakeholders, while Sethi has been using his media contacts to promote his candidacy.
The appointment of a new PCB chairman is a critical decision for Pakistan cricket. The new leader will be responsible for overseeing the team’s performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup, as well as developing the game at the grassroots level. The choice of chairman will also have a significant impact on the PCB’s finances and its ability to attract sponsorships.
It is a hotly contested race, and it will be interesting to see who ultimately comes out on top.