Zaka Ashraf resigns as Pakistan Cricket Board management committee chairman

Amid all the ups and downs happening in Pakistan cricket, On Friday, January 19 Zaka Ashraf declared his resignation from the position of Chairperson of the Management Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Having been a member of the PCB's Board of Governors since July 6, 2023, Ashraf assumed the role of the Management Committee's chairperson after succeeding Najam Sethi.

Zaka Ashraf submitted his resignation to the Patron Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar during the meeting of the cricket board's management committee held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, as per a statement from the PCB. This was on the cards as the former Chairperson has been facing a lot of criticism due to his decision-making to accept a hybrid model in Asia Cup 2023.

"In his concluding remarks, Mr Zaka Ashraf thanked the honourable Patron PCB for the confidence and trust reposed by him and extended his best wishes and prayers for the betterment of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket," the release read.

Roller Coaster ride for Zaka Ashraf as Chairperson

Throughout his term, Ashraf encountered criticism for the PCB's functioning, notably for a contentious statement issued during the World Cup, attributing Pakistan's subpar performance to captain Babar Azam and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. Moreover, a leaked WhatsApp conversation between Babar and a high-ranking PCB official was televised locally, suggesting Ashraf's involvement in directing the broadcast of the conversation.

Amid allegations of conflict of interest, Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as chief selector, prompting the PCB to establish a committee for an inquiry. Initially granted a three-month extension by the caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Ashraf's administration had its initial four-month term prolonged. However, post-World Cup, Ashraf was entrusted with organizing elections for the PCB chairman and expediting the finalization of the Board of Governors "at the earliest."

After the World Cup, Babar Azam stepped down as Pakistan's captain, making way for Shan Masood in Tests and Shaheen Afridi in T20Is. The Management Committee under Zaka Ashraf also ousted the coaching staff headed by Director Mickey Arthur, relocating them to the National Cricket Academy. Subsequently, Arthur and his team submitted their resignations.