KARACHI: Pakistan cricket followers finally let out a sigh of relief after Ijaz Butt, who completed his three-year tenure on Saturday, was understood to have been replaced as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman. The PCB’s chief patron President Zardari has apparently picked former ZTBL president Zaka Ashraf.
Although a formal notification from the President’s office is yet to be issued, Ashraf confirmed his appointment and told Aaj TV that his priority was to improve Pakistan cricket’s image after a series of scandals.
“I’ll work day and night to live up to the president’s expectations and pay back the confidence he’s placed in me,” said Ashraf before adding that he would select players on merit and try to improve relations with international boards.
Ashraf was a member of Pakistan Peoples Party Central Executive Committee when he was named ZTBL’s chief three years ago and is also a former chairman of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, as well as a close friend of President Zardari. He hails from Bahawalpur, belonging to a traditional industrial and farming family. After passing out from Cadet College Petaro, Ashraf completed his bachelor’s degree and became part of the family business, the Ashraf Group of Industries.
Meanwhile, ZTBL’s press officer Israr Ahmed Kasana also confirmed the appointment. “The new chairman’s prime target is to revive our lost status,” Kasana told The Express Tribune.
His appointment follows weeks of speculation surrounding Butt’s replacement, ending his tumultuous stay in office, termed by many as the worst for Pakistan cricket.
(Read: Ijaz Butt: Closer to D-day)
During Butt’s tenure, Pakistan won the 2009 World Twenty20. However, the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in 2009 and the spot-fixing saga, which was preceded by Butt labelling England’s cricketers as match-fixers, brought Pakistan cricket to its knees.
The appointment may also see the return of former captain Shahid Afridi to international cricket. “Ashraf is not a fan of controversies and will woo back players who can still contribute to Pakistan cricket,” said Kasana.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.
COMMENTS (59)
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I read that he used to be a flat mate of Zardari's. This is blatant nepotism and needs to be stamped out. Furthermore the incumbent has no cricketing background. I'm just waiting for Imran Khan to become the next leader of Pakistan and then bring in new rules that will never allow the President to appoint a new chairman.
@Haqqani: for argument sake yeah sure. .... good to know that you got my point :)
@ Bilal: i understand your passion for cricket since its the same for almost everyone in our region but lets just not forget our national sport at any point :)
@Haqqani:
Mr Haqqani: thank you for correcting me, I might have over emphasized by using the words national sport but I was trying to make a point, hopefully you got that!
Yom - e - Nijaat
@Antanu: yes, True, are you feeling proud of having Sharad Pawar or Latesh Modi as chief of Cricketing Body? I am not Indian but my fellow Indian friends felt shame and they express their concern.
@ bilal: our national sport is Hockey so before you start entertaining people with your expertise on the game get you facts right :)
@Haqqani:
what is it then?
since the day he born .....
@True Pakistani: again the family affair . . . !!!! GOD SAVE PAKISTAN CRICKET
@sajid: so they become diabetic . . .!!!!
@JJ:
MONEY !!! :)
@Bilal: Since when Cricket became our National Sport?
what a co-incidence !! the former Chariman was Brother in Law (Bahnoi) of our Defense Minister and now the new-appointed is the Hum-Zulf (Saando) of same Minister .....
Upcoming next:
Ijazz ahmed appointed Governor State bank :P
can be a hefty combination here;)
Who says there is no relevance of banking and agriculture with cricket ? well don't we know huge transactions are now involved in the game which need to be managed and as far as agriculture sometimes we do have some grass on our wickets ;)
20 kg sugar for each player in every month:))))
If team win big tournamentz the new Chairman of PCB will announce 20 kg sugar to each player and for the coach 15 kg sugar.Moreover lunch and dinner will be serve with the special mixing of sugar.....lolz HOPING FOR THE BEST:))))
Three duties at once :o
He looks very sincere to me ( opposed to Mr Butt) , let us wait and see his executive decision making...
Zaka Ashraf is the most corrupt person in Pakistan. He destroyed the ZTBL and now he is going to destroy the PCB in a few week and it is a reality.
If Imran Khan would move into this position and run his charity hospitals as well he would do well...
@Someone: dont u see the relavence . .!, he is closed friend of Zardari . . .!!!
@Anas:
Do you think Imran Khan will get 2/3rd majority? really?
Well, he has worked in a sugar mill. He can perhaps sweeten things in favor of Pakistan :)
Dont worry he will soon leave when the new president Imran Khan will be elected
we're going to have greener pitches and lush outfields now
zarai taraqiyati bank. agricultural bank=head of cricket board? as far as i can see hes prob qualified to overlook the preparation of pitches maybe? another topi drama. sad.
@Jaani: Well said!!!! Totally agree with you.
It is like appointing a TRUCK DRIVER for the post of Helicopter Pilot. If political appointment was necessary then there were many eligible for this job. I am really disappointed.
Hahaha....Awesome!! Mojein lgi hui hein sub ki :D
yes he owns ASHRAF SUGAR MILL in bahawalpur. very strange that a miller has been appointed as chairman of pcb.
ATLEAST BUTT IS HISTORY - Let's savor the moment and hope for the best
@Khan: It doesn't matter who run the organization as long as you get the job done in an ethical and moral way.So as long as you get the desired results it should not matter who runs the organization.
For one at least Butt sahibs controversy plagued regime is over. But I still wonder, as far as I can remember ICC passed a law that countries where a cricket board chairman is appointed (rather politically - directed mainly at PCB) would not be allowed to take part in international cricket. How does another appointment solves this problem? Our national sport already suffering a lot (Srilankan team incident and stupid terrorism problem), I guess President Zardari didn't give a damn about Cricket as a national sport. Hopefully Zaka Ashraf will realize the problem and atleast try to fix it; by negotiating with ICC or by reforming PCB. We will have to wait and see.
I pray that this man proves best for Pakistan Cricket......but i am not hoping so.!!!!
I hope the controversies hovering over PAK cricket end with the end to his tenure. Fingers crossed!
One can only hope for the best! I am in no way supporting or opposing this appointment, as we have to wait and see.
With regards to @JJ and @Khan observations regarding the PCB chief being a cricketer, I beg to disagree. This is a corporate management post and someone with a business background would be useful, if (and its a big IF) they work honestly.
Can I just give you the example of David Collier, who is the Chief Executive of ECB, since October 2004 and is a business executive and not a cricketer, though he has managed County Clubs before?
Beside zarai bank he also owns sugar mill. I am sure he doesn't even know anythin about cricket ... they're making money. from this side income make livin better for people who work under you.
Chairman should be a person , who have revolutionary idea , and who know is a good manager! Hoping for the Best!
Although expectations from Mr. Ashraf are not very high but he cannot possibly do a worse job than Ijaz Butt or will he? Time will tell.
Another political appointment!! Zardari is rewarding this friends just like Musharraf. The ICC is right, Cricket Administration should be run by cricketers ,not by bankers,politicians or generals !!!!
totally great!! coz "zarat" and cricket are totally managed in the same way.. NOT
@JJ: what is the cinnection between pawar and cricket. Modi and IPL
May be we should award and reward them with a doctoral degree in advance? Just like Malk for peace prize doctorate.
Check out the mirror for truth..
"Express 24/7 correspondent Sohail Chaudhry reported that Ashraf was a close friend and a class fellow of President Zardari."
Why can't the PCB chief be someone who is actually relevant to cricket?
This is TRAGEDY of this country that who don't know any thing about their duty THEY serve as DEPARTMENTAL HEAD. What is the Combination of"CRICKET AND BANK"?
no hope of better things from him
Does anybody knows this guys history? What kind of tenure would we be expecting from him?
Hoping for the Best!