Salaam everyone! I don’t want to be a bone of contention between Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif. Such instability and uncertainty is not good for PCB. Under the circumstances I am not a candidate for Chairmanship of PCB. Good luck to all stakeholders.
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) June 19, 2023
Najam Sethi had been leading an interim management committee that had been overseeing the PCB since December. While he seemed poised to continue as chairman once the interim period ended, recent speculations about the return of Zaka Ashraf raised doubts about Sethi's prospects.
The rivalry between Sethi and Ashraf goes back to 2013 and 2014 when they engaged in a protracted legal battle over the leadership of the PCB. Their conflict adds another layer of complexity to the current situation, further intensifying the stakes involved in the chairman appointment.
Reports from the Pakistani media suggest that differences between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PPP have played a role in the appointment dispute. The conflicting perspectives on selecting the PCB chairman have added fuel to the fire, exacerbating the political tensions within the ruling coalition.
Earlier this month, Pakistan Federal Minister Ehsan Mazari declared that Zaka Ashraf would assume the role of PCB chairman. Mazari stated that Sethi had been appointed for a limited period to oversee the chairman elections, further fueling speculation about the impending transition in leadership.
As the political landscape surrounding the PCB chairman position continues to evolve, the cricketing community awaits the resolution of this power struggle and the appointment of a new leader who will guide Pakistan cricket into the future.
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