MUMBAI: Apparently, Arif Ali Khan Abbasi’s appointment as Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chief consultant was the shortest ever.

On Tuesday, Zaka Ashraf had appointed him as the chief consultant. 

However, less than 24 hours of this announcement, Arif Abbasi refused to take charge. 

“I don’t want to work under Najam Sethi,” he said over telephone from Pakistan.

On Wednesday Supreme Court ordered stay against Zaka Ashraf discharging his duties as PCB chairman till both parties are heard on May 27.

“I shall resume my duty only if Zaka Ashraf is back on chair. Will wait for the order on the 27th and if he is not back, I will not join Najam Sethi,” he added.

“Interestingly, on Wednesday, my designation was to be renamed either as managing director or the chief executive of the PCB and not the chief consultant,” he revealed. 

“It is a musical game between the two and I can’t work under this situation. I accepted Zaka’s offer only for the betterment of the game in the country,” he added. 

“My desire is to bring credibility to the PCB,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...