Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, has tendered his resignation during a committee meeting.
Ashraf, 72, announced his decision amidst the ongoing Management Committee meeting, citing challenges in the working environment. He had assumed the role of Chairman on July 6, succeeding Najam Sethi.
Speaking at the meeting, Ashraf stated, “I was working for the betterment of cricket, but it is not possible for us to work in this way.” He added, “Now it is up to Prime Minister [Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar], whomever he nominates [will take my place].”
Earlier in the week, the PCB Management Committee meeting in Karachi had been postponed following a request from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. The agenda included various matters, including the formation of the Board of Governors (BOG).
The IPC Ministry subsequently called top PCB officials for a meeting on Wednesday.
It’s worth noting that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq had extended the term of the Ashraf-led Management Committee for three months in November 2023, with the term originally set to conclude in early February.
During Ashraf’s tenure, Pakistan participated in two major competitions – the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup. Unfortunately, the team failed to reach the final of the Asia Cup and could not advance to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Following the World Cup, Babar Azam resigned as the team’s captain, with Shan Masood (Test) and Shaheen Afridi (T20I) taking over. The Management Committee also replaced the coaching staff led by then-Director Mickey Arthur, moving them to the National Cricket Academy. Subsequently, they submitted their resignations.
Former captain Mohammad Hafeez was appointed as the Team Director, while ex-pacer Wahab Riaz assumed the role of the head of the selection committee. Under the new leadership, the team has faced challenges, being whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series against Australia and losing the first four games of the T20I series in New Zealand, with one match remaining.
