PM Kakar summons PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf

Islamabad: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar summoned Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Interim Management Committee Head Zaka Ashraf on December 11, the sources privy to the development said on Saturday.

The development took place after Zaka Ashraf requested the PM for meeting.

The sources said that Zaka Ashraf is likely to seek permission from Prime Minister Kakar to exercise his authority.

The current interim management of the PCB is under restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), preventing them from making policy decisions or high-level appointments.

All decisions made by the Zaka Ashraf-led management are currently regarded as temporary following the notification from the IPC. As a result of the scheduled meeting, Zaka Ashraf will not be present at the final of the ongoing National T20 Cup.

It's noteworthy that the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination had previously granted a three-month extension to the Zaka Ashraf-led body, originally set to end on November 5.

Since December 2022, the PCB has been functioning on an ad-hoc basis following the removal of Chairman Ramiz Raja. Najam Sethi was initially named chief of the first interim committee before being replaced by the one led by Zaka in June.

Zaka Ashraf's leadership has faced criticism from members of the management committee and former cricketers for its decision-making and lack of progress in conducting board elections, a mandate it received in July. The meeting on December 11 is expected to address these concerns and discuss the future direction of the PCB under the interim management.