The process to elect the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hit a potential roadblock, as two former management committee members have approached the Lahore High Court with petitions. Shakil Sheikh and Gul Zada have raised concerns over the election process that led to the appointment of Zaka Ashraf as chairman, and they have also questioned the legality of the Board of Governors responsible for electing the new chief. This development has raised concerns about potential delays in the election and its impact on Pakistan cricket.
The Lahore High Court is set to hear the petitions filed by Sheikh and Zada, challenging the election process and the legitimacy of the Board of Governors. The petitioners have requested the honourable judge to intervene, seeking a stay on the chairman elections and suspending the Board of Governors until their petitions are resolved. This move has created a tricky situation as the election commissioner and board’s acting chairman had already scheduled June 27 as the date for the new chairman’s election.
“It is a tricky situation because the election commissioner and acting Chairman of the board has set June 27 as the date for holding the election for new Chairman after the changes made to the Board of Governors,” one source in the board said.
Interestingly, Zaka Ashraf, who had previously served as PCB chairman in 2012, faced similar legal challenges from his predecessor, Najam Sethi, and even had to vacate his position once as directed by the Supreme Court. The recurrence of legal hurdles surrounding the PCB chairman election highlights the contentious nature of the process and the potential impact on the stability and functioning of the board.
Under the PCB’s structure, the patron-in-chief, who is the country’s Prime Minister, nominates two candidates to the Board of Governors. Subsequently, one of the nominees is elected as the chairman. In the current situation, with incumbent Najam Sethi withdrawing from the election race, the Prime Minister nominated Zaka Ashraf and Mustafa Ramday as candidates for the PCB’s Board of Governors.
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The uncertainty surrounding the PCB chairman election comes at a crucial time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are expected to announce the upcoming ODI World Cup schedule. The potential delay in electing a new chairman raises concerns about Pakistan Cricket’s ability to address critical challenges faced by external sources, such as the ICC and BCCI, and to provide effective leadership during this crucial period.
