ZAKA Ashraf, the PCB chairman, has been elected for a four-year term, the first-ever elected incumbent in that office. He was elected under the new PCB constitution which in February replaced the system of appointing the PCB chairman by the patron of the board, the president of Pakistan.

The PCB’s board of governors had its first meeting on May 8 in Islamabad under the new constitution. The nomination committee interviewed the two candidates — Ashraf and former Lahore Stock Exchange chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan — recommended by the patron and unanimously recommended Ashraf for the chairman’s post.

Thereafter, the board of governors reassembled and unanimously endorsed the recommended nominee of the patron and the nomination committee.

In 2011, the ICC required that its member boards become autonomous and free of interference from the government by June.

Removal of government interference had also been one of the Wolf report recommendations approved by the ICC. The new constitution was produced as a result of the ICC directive and was approved on Feb 13, vetted by the ministry of law on the suggestion of the PCB, and the ICC feedback.

However, in November 2012 the ICC said it was reviewing its stance against government involvement in the administration of cricket.

The development was surprising and conducted secretly, the PCB revealing the appointment through a press release.

Ashraf, who has been the PCB chairman since 2011 was working under the old constitution, under which he was appointed for an indefinite period by the patron. With his future as chairman uncertain, Ashraf implemented the new constitution in February and was eventually elected for a new term.

M. OSAMA AFNAN HANAFI Karachi