Zaka challenges Sethi’s claims
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ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has challenged the rosy picture described by incumbent chief Najam Sethi who has claimed that Pakistan will benefit by accepting the supremacy of ‘Big Three’.
In a news conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, Sethi, after officially accepting ‘Big Three’ said Pakistan during the 2015-2023 period would get several home and away bilateral series against top nations including India, and in the process the PCB will get richer by around $30 million.
Sethi during the press conference claimed that international cricket ‘Big Three’ -- India, Australia and England -- had assured him that teams including India would visit Pakistan.
However, Zaka, who as PCB chairman in February, refused to accept the ‘Big Three’ hegemony said the incumbent chairman was not showing the true picture to the nation.
Former chairman, who was ousted supposedly over his opposition to the ‘Big Three’, while talking to Dawn questioned Sethi claim that as per agreement India and Pakistan would play bilateral series.
“Sethi failed in pleading Pakistan’s case genuinely,” Zaka reckoned.
“What type of agreement is it? Tell me if India will not honour its commitment then what Pakistan can do? How we can rely on Indian courts?”
Zaka claimed that he had rejected ‘Big Three’ on the issue that any dispute between cricket states should be settled by the international court of arbitration. “Even now this clause has not been included in the agreement signed by Sethi,” he underlined.
Zaka further claimed that there was nothing new in Sethi’s press conference. “As regards ICC’s presidency, it had already been decided during my tenure that Pakistan will hold this position after Bangladesh,” Zaka concluded.
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Comments (33) Closed
Apr 12, 2014 03:18pm
Sethi is very similar to Ijaz butt ... lots of boasting and no real output ... media hungry ... that's how incapable person for a specific position does his job.
Zaka ashraf was somehow different to these two ... atleast not as media hungry as they are and more sensible to run the day-to-day affairs of pcb.
Now with sethi and someone-like-him to follow after - expect rubbish when they speak and nonsense when they act.
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Apr 12, 2014 03:39pm
@Khan: so what is new. same same bhai.
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Apr 12, 2014 03:59pm
"Sethi during the press conference claimed that international cricket
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Apr 12, 2014 04:57pm
Sethi has sold Pakistan's Pride. But very sad this is the policy of current government get money by selling honor and dignity
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Apr 12, 2014 04:59pm
Zaka is believable and Sethi is not. Sethi's sincerity for Pakistan cricket is same as his paper run on behalf of 'very big brother' of the world.
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Apr 12, 2014 05:31pm
Nawaz Sharif should rectify his blunder of appointing Sathi as PCB cheif.
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Apr 12, 2014 06:21pm
Amazed why there is so much hate against Sethi in Pakistan..I saw one show on Pak tv yesterday, anchor was interview Mr.Zaka and anchor even before asking questions, made up his kind against Sethi and making jokes on Sethi. May be Pakistan simply doesn't deserve to play more.
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Apr 12, 2014 06:32pm
Sethi talks about Pakistan's isolation while in fact no other country than India would have refused to play us had we stood firm on our point. If Zaka Ashraf takes over PCB with 4 billion rupees and leaves it with 5 then it is clear that Pakistan cricket can survive not playing india. To justify supporting the wrong, sethi has (1) perdicted us to go bankrupt (2) perdicted us to get isolated (3) and announced that the new draft has nothing in it which is opposeable. In fact he is wrong on all counts.India won't play us as this is not only BCCI but the government of India which dictates the terms. And we would never be in position to sue them in indian courts as then the BCCI will go unharmed by claim that they are hindered by the government. So Mr. Sethi you didn't get anything but rather sold us out for a smile.
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Apr 12, 2014 06:54pm
@AKA:
Since when did Pakistan have any pride? It begs money from IMF, america and the saudis. It is available for rent whoever pays the right money.
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Apr 12, 2014 07:07pm
Do we have a choice???
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Apr 12, 2014 07:10pm
Both individuals are talking according to their characters. Zaka is showing unflinching nature of PPP and Sethi is showing compromising (Muk Muka)nature.
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Apr 12, 2014 07:24pm
Sethi needs to be sacked. Why did he ever get this post.
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Apr 12, 2014 07:32pm
Well said by the former PCB chief about the current PCB chair who came to power because of his famous and historic "35-punture" episode.
Although both PCB chiefs were hand-picked but the ex strongman is telling the truth because he is not in power right now.
Why do these so-called politicians, self-proclaimed leaders, hand-picked public servants and their long-standing crones in South Asia start telling the truth when they are not in power?
I leave the answer to the enlightened, educated, enduring and excelling readers and writers of this great DAWN forum.
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Apr 12, 2014 07:32pm
The state of Cricket can only improve when the PCB is de politicized ,
When a professional is appointed to run the affairs of Cricket in Pakistan.
A professional, who has managed large corporations before with integrity and honesty.
A person with no personal and professional biases.
Because Cricket is a sport, where as in any other sport, the only bias that should be accepted should be against, un professionalism and dishonesty.
PCB needs a man of integrity, who has Pakistan's cause as the only cause, at heart.
Not an opportunist who changes colour with time.
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Apr 12, 2014 07:41pm
Absolutely right from Zaka Ashraf, In the first place he should not have been fired because he took the right stance to the big three, his stance was honourable for which he was fired.
What he says about stehi is correct even a child can understand that India will not come to Pakistan let alone play a series, what a joke this chirya guy is.
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Apr 12, 2014 07:47pm
I am surprised at these anti Sethi comments. A lone dissenting voice at the ICC would have achieved nothing for Pakistan. They had all to loose and nothing to gain by continuing to oppose. I am surprised at some people
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Apr 12, 2014 08:01pm
Read carefully, Pakistan ICC agreements will be governed by Indian Law rather than International Courts, as a country Pakistan has agreed to be work under Indian legal System. Is Pakistan a soverign country as a land under Indian Jurisduction?
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Apr 12, 2014 08:48pm
Why such vitriol against Sethi? Let him have his chance at it. At least he can speak and think intelligently, convincingly, unlike the previous incompetent people
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Apr 12, 2014 09:21pm
@Ravi,Dallas TX:
Reason he has bit soft corner for india.
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Apr 12, 2014 10:32pm
@nafees:
yup
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Apr 13, 2014 01:21am
**Tell me if India will not honour its commitment then what Pakistan can do? How we can rely on Indian courts?
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Apr 13, 2014 01:42am
Question is: If India refused to honour it's commitment what will PCB do.
Well, with current management I can predict that PCB will file bankruptcy and Sethi will hand it over to Zaka and wll runaway.
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Apr 13, 2014 01:42am
Question is: If India refused to honour it's commitment what will PCB do.
Well, with current management I can predict that PCB will file bankruptcy and Sethi will hand it over to Zaka and wll runaway.
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Apr 13, 2014 08:03am
Friends the big three is here to stay. Now either deal with it, or cut off from ICC. There are many other country who would be more than happy to fill in the gap.
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Apr 13, 2014 08:24am
PCB displays the pathetic situation of the country. The facts are 1. No foreign is willing to visit Pakistan. 2. No foreign board is guaranteeing a series against Pakistan. Rest of the rosy description has been put forward for the feel good factor of the masses.
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Apr 13, 2014 11:17am
Although Zaka himself is famous for his corruption in ZTB and sugar mills industries, this time he is right. What type of agreement does Sethi have at hand? Is there any agreement signed by the ICC, or is it just another hoax that he is spreading. He himself has very good reputation as the PUNCTURED fame story.
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Apr 13, 2014 01:44pm
I don't understand why everyone is so geared up against India. In fact no country has visited Pakistan since 2009. Even Bangladesh pulled out at the last minute. And in regards to the agreement with the ICC & Big 3, can Mr. Sethi release it to the press please?
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Apr 13, 2014 10:11pm
@Googlie:
Not likely to be replaced, at least not in near future. Remember what Imran said about Sethi ?? That Sethi has been rewarded by Nawaz Sharif with this post due to his help in winning the elections. Sethi in return threatened to take legal action against Imran, but it seems that it was only a threat for public consumption....only, nothing more.
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Apr 13, 2014 11:59pm
I don't understand that how can we trust Big Three? Especially when 1 of them is none other than India!! Najam Sethi has sold Pakistan cricket future in return of few DOLLARS, which may or may not come to PCB at all.
We are poor souls who have not learned lessons from past.
May Allah bless our country and our countrymen. Ameen.
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Apr 14, 2014 01:09am
Zaka Ashraf is right ,he has acted according to the wishes of Pakistani cricket supporters.
Najam Sethi is playing political game. Keeping Pakistan Cricket safe from politically motivated
people is in the best interest of PCB.
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Apr 14, 2014 01:01pm
Najm Sathi, is not worthy of reliance; he promised to be a caretaker CM but accepted the post of Chair PCB; bribe it would be considered and what a joke his caretaker stance was.
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Apr 14, 2014 01:56pm
@Ravi,Dallas TX:
You know I see your comments on every single Dawn news article which has anything to do with Pakistani sports, etc. It is out internal matter and Zaka Ashraf was taking a just stance. A sport should treat all participants equally (examples: FIFA, would they ever let Brazil, Italy and Germany dictate terms? Nope.). I think you have a lot on your plate with regards to Srinivasan et. al. IPL corruption scandal and Dhoni's spot-fixing troubles, so mind your own business please.
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Apr 14, 2014 05:40pm
Looking at the situation, here it's not just India but also Australia and England who are committing to play with Pakistan. If not in Pakistan then at least in UAE or other venue so, even if India does not play then there are other two who will definitely play. So, isn't it a good deal? Also, don't forget the position paper to take over has gathered sufficient support and has mandatory number of votes. So, in a so called ideal scene if PCB and SLC do not back the proposal then it's them who will lose and no other 7 test playing nations. So, this adjustment is not a bad deal even if BCCI does not honour their promise. At the end it's a dead vote what is earning this deal which is good for revival of Pakistan cricket. World needs Pakistan cricket due to their quality players.
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