Ashraf resumes duties as PCB chairman, vows to complete tenure

Published January 16, 2014
Zaka Ashraf. – File Photo
Zaka Ashraf. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Zaka Ashraf has resumed his duties as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman on Thursday a day after he was restored by a two-member divisional bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Ashraf was suspended by IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddique in May last year when a retired cricket official challenged his election as PCB chairman.

But a two-member divisional bench restored Ashraf on Wednesday after hearing his appeal. The divisional bench dissolved the Interim Management Committee of the PCB, which was headed by Najam Sethi.

However, the court said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who appointed Sethi as interim chairman, will remain a patron of the PCB.

Zaka vows to complete tenure

While speaking to reporters at Gadaffi stadium in Lahore, the Pakistan cricket chief said that he will not resign from the post and expressed the determination to complete his four year tenure as the chairman.

“My utmost effort will be to take measures for the betterment of Pakistan cricket by taking all stakeholders into confidence on all important cricket matters,” he said.

“There are a lot of challenges Pakistan cricket is facing today and my top most priority will be to work collectively for the betterment of our cricket.”

Ashraf said he will brief PM Sharif on cricket related affairs and will seek his guidance on the national team’s participation in the Asia Cup in the back drop of security issues in the host Bangladesh.

To a question regarding captain Misbahul Haq’s future, he said World Cup in 2015 was far away and the inclusion of any player including the captain will be made based on fitness and form.

“In my opinion Muhammad Hafeez is duly justifying in his role as T20 captain,” said the PCB chairman while answering a questioner.

He said that PCB's cricket committee will look into the matter of hiring a new coach as Dav Whatmore will be completing his stint with the team next month.

Zaka Asrhaf said he did not seek ICC's support on his suspension as for him Pakistan's respect was far supreme than anything. He said he would resume his efforts for the revival of cricket ties with India as good progress was being made during his tenure on the resumption of cricket ties between the two neighboring countries.

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