Reports: Pakistan Cricket Board elections delayed as two former members approach Lahore High Court

The appointment of the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been delayed after two members of the former management committee reportedly approached the Lahore High Court. 

As per reports, on Monday, June 26, the High Court will hear two petitions filed by former PCB members, Shakil Sheikh and Gul Zada, challenging the election process to appoint Zaka Ashraf as chairman and also the legality of the Board of Governors (BOG) that would decide the new chief. Additionally, the former members have requested the judge to stay put the elections and suspend the BOG until the announcement of the verdict.

Meanwhile, a PCB source termed this as a problematic situation, noting that the election commissioner and the interim chairman have decided to hold the poll on June 27 (Tuesday), following the changes to the BOG.

“It is a tricky situation because the election commissioner and acting Chairman of the board has set June 27 as the date for holding election for new Chairman after the changes made to the Board of Governors,” a source in the board was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Don’t want to be a bone of contention between Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif: Sethi 

Zaka Ashraf, who served as chairman of the governing body from 2011 to 2013, is expected to take over the role again after the PCB patron-in-chief (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif) nominated him. Interestingly, in 2012, Ashraf faced similar legal issues from former chairman, Najam Sethi, and was even asked by the Apex Court to resign from the role.

Notably, this time after incumbent Sethi withdrew from the election race, indicating that he does not want to be a bone of contention on the side of Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif. He added that such instability and uncertainty are not good for the board and under the circumstances, he is not a candidate for Chairmanship of PCB.  Notably, following this, the PCB patron-in-chief proposed two candidates to the BOG, Ashraf, and Mustafa Ramday.