Najam Sethi sent shockwaves through the realm of Pakistan cricket on Tuesday when he effectively resigned from his position as head of the Pakistan Cricket Board by withdrawing from the race for the next chairman.
Sethi, who had been leading the interim management committee of the PCB since December, was to have been in charge of the board until Wednesday but announced his resignation by refusing to extend his tenure at the helm of affairs.
It was widely anticipated that he would assume the role of chairman, but recent reports indicated the potential return of Zaka Ashraf, who has also held the position in the past. While there has been no official confirmation regarding Ashraf, Sethi is no longer continuing in his role.
“I don’t want to be a bone of contention between Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif. Such instability and uncertainty is not good for the Pakistan Cricket Board. Under the circumstances, I am not a candidate for the Chairmanship of PCB. Good luck to all the stakeholders.”
Sethi’s tweet read.
This turn of events sheds light on the longstanding political dynamics surrounding the chairman’s position, which usually involves a recommendation from the Prime Minister. In this case, the appointment would likely come from Shehbaz Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) party.
However, the presence of Ashraf, affiliated with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the coalition partner in the current government, complicates matters. The PPP believes that with their influence over sports in Pakistan, they have a rightful claim to the chairman’s seat in the PCB.
During his six-month tenure, Sethi oversaw the PCB’s operations following the removal of Ramiz Raja as chairman. Under his management, significant developments took place, including the appointment of Mickey Arthur as part-time director of cricket.
Notably, the issue of the Asia Cup hosting rights, as well as the position of the board on their participation in the upcoming World Cup was taken up, although neither matter has reached a constructive decision.
As the dust settles from Sethi’s departure, Pakistan cricket eagerly awaits the appointment of the next chairman, who will inherit the responsibilities of steering the national team and addressing critical matters such as World Cup participation.
The power dynamics within the political landscape will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the PCB, adding an intriguing layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation.
