By: Abubakar Bin Tallat
ISLAMABAD: Zaka Ashraf, the former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is poised to return as the head of the esteemed organization. The Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Ehsan Ur Rehman Mazari, announced today that the government is committed to expediting Ashraf’s appointment, with the process set to be finalized before Eid-ul-Azha.
Addressing the media, Minister Mazari confirmed that the leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) expressed a strong desire to see Zaka Ashraf as the PCB chief. He further shared that he had submitted the necessary documentation to the Prime Minister’s House, and he extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approving the appointment.
Mazari also addressed the issue of cricket relations with India, stating, “India always plays politics on cricket. If Indian teams from other disciplines can visit Pakistan, then why not its cricket team.”
In response to the recent developments, Zaka Ashraf expressed his disapproval of Najam Sethi’s proposed “hybrid model” for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in September. Ashraf firmly rejected the model, emphasizing that it is not in Pakistan’s best interest. He advocated for stronger negotiations to ensure the entire tournament takes place in Pakistan, rather than having a disproportionate allocation of matches in Sri Lanka.
Ashraf asserted, “Being the host, Pakistan should have negotiated better to ensure that the entire tournament is played within our borders. Sri Lanka taking the majority of games, leaving Pakistan with only four, is not in the best interest of our country.”
These statements were made during a media interaction following the ceremonial cake-cutting event held to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed at the IPC Ministry.
