Zaka Ashraf

Not plotting move to oust Ashraf, says Sohail

Karachi: Pakistan's former captain, Aamir Sohail has reacted strongly to reports that he was engineering a move to oust Zaka Ashraf as chairman of the PCB after the Pakistan Muslim League's victory in the general elections.

Ashraf interestingly became the first elected chairman of the board just few days before the elections were held on May 11 with many former heads of the board and players criticising the haste and secrecy in which the entire election/selection process was held in Islamabad. Media reports recently suggested that since Sohail is in the PML (N) and is seen as being close to Hamza Shahbaz Sharif the son of Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif.

But Sohail said all such reports were not correct. "It is wrong to say I am involved in any such thing... it is rubbish," he said. A former head of the board who declined to be named, said that even though Ashraf had got himself elected as board chairman, he could still be ousted through a legal process. "He can be removed through a legal process even before his four year tenure is completed," he noted.

Already the word is that as soon as Nawaz Sharif forms his government and takes oath as Prime Minister, he is bound to look into the cricket affairs as he has always been a big fan of the sport. "Obviously when the new government comes in and even though the ICC keeps on insisting that its members must have a 

Zaka Ashraf defends manner of his election as PCB chief

Karachi: Stung by the criticism over the manner in which he has become the first elected chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Ashraf on Friday insisted that the process adopted by the PCB was according to recommendations of the International Cricket Council. Ashraf has come in for sharp criticism from former heads of the Board and former players over the manner he was elected as PCB chief on Wednesday under...  

Latif to move court against Ashraf's election as PCB chief

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has said that he would challenge the manner in which Zaka Ashraf was elected Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman under the new Constitution by filing a petition in the High Court. "After my first petition, the PCB introduced a few amendments to its constitution. However, it is not as democratic as it should be. There are loopholes [in the new constitution] which I want...  

Zaka Ashraf's appointment as PCB chairman challenged

Islamabad: A former member of the PCB's board of governors filed a petition in Lahore High Court on Wednesday against the election of Zaka Ashraf as the new Pakistan Cricket Board chairman. Mohammad Anwar said in his petition that "unbridled powers are conferred upon the patron for the appointment of the chairman without following the open and transparent selection process." The PCB's 11-member board of governors earlier chose Ashraf after...  

Zaka Ashraf becomes Pakistan's first elected chief

Islamabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf on Wednesday became the country's first elected head of the sport, winning a four-year term under a new constitution approved earlier this year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) directed all its members to run their boards democratically and without government interference, threatening sanctions for any board that did not meet its requirements by June 2013. Ashraf, 60, has been PCB chairman since...  

PCB to examine rejection of Kaneria's appeal against ban

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would legally examine the dismissal of the appeal made by leg-spinner Danish Kaneria against his ban on charges of spot-fixing. An ECB panel in London had rejected Kaneria' appeal against the life ban, handed out to him over charges of spot-fixing. PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashraf said the Board lawyers will examine Kaneria's appeal verdict. "We will ask our lawyers to analyze the outcome of...  

PCB hands over new constituon to ICC

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf today handed over a copy of the new PCB constitution to the ICC which has appreciated the efforts made to make the document more democratic. The PCB chairman handed over the copy to ICC president Alan Isaac, in Dubai during the ICC Board meeting. The new constitution has repealed the 2007 PCB constitution and is compliant with the ICC's charter document and conforms...  

PCB rubbishes reports of Grant Flower becoming batting coach

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday dismissed reports that it was negotiating with former Zimbabwean batsman Grant Flower to appoint him as batting coach of the national team. A senior official in the Board, who declined to be named, said that no talks were in progress with Flower as reported by a section of the media. "He is not under consideration for the position of Pakistan's batting coach or consultant,"...  

Doubts loom over Pakistan's tour of West Indies

Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has accused the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of reneging on an agreement to facilitate a tour of the Caribbean this year. Pakistan were originally scheduled to play two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s in the Caribbean in June and July. However, reports suggest that the tour is unlikely to go ahead after both boards failed to find a new window. "It's a...  

PCB planning to launch PSL T20 this year: Zaka Ashraf

PCB had planned to launch the five-team Pakistan Super League T20 from March 26th, but postponed it in February due to time constraints and other issues. ...  

PCB to make England-like pitches to prepare team for Champions Trophy

PCB wants players to acclimatize to the sort of pitches they will find in England during the Champions Trophy. ...  

There's no threat to Misbah-ul-Haq's captaincy: Zaka Ashraf

The PCB chairman said that the board has no plans to sack captain Misbah-ul-Haq or coach Dav Whatmore after Pakistan's Test series whitewash in South Africa. ...  

PCB instructs Whatmore to file report before going on leave

The board told Whatmore to file tour report which need to be discussed by the national selectors with the PCB. ...  

Zaka Ashraf requests South Africa to tour Pakistan

The PCB has requested the Cricket South Africa to send their team to Pakistan for the Test and one-day series in October-November this year. ...  

PCB boss Zaka Ashraf backs under-fire coach Dav Whatmore

Whatmore, appointed Pakistan coach a year ago, came in for severe criticism from former captains following a 3-0 Test whitewash against South Afica. ...  

Whatmore's future depends on ODI and T20 series: reports

The daily Jang reported that immediately after the massive innings defeat in the third Test Whatmore had chosen to take out his anger on Imran Farhat. ...  

PCB chief to enjoy absolute power under new constitution

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf will enjoy absolute power under the recently-amended constitution of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the country's media has reported. ...  

Top official resigns after PSL postponement

According to sources in the board, Khurrum Malik had submitted his resignation on Friday, two days after Managing Director Sarwar Salman Butt had resigned. ...  

Zaka Ashraf blames security reasons for Pakistan Women's poor show

Zaka Ashraf claimed that Pakistan Women's cricket team finished last place in the World Cup due to the overwhelming security fears in India. ...  

'There is conspiracy to keep Pak cricket isolated'

PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf believes there are elements who don't want to see the revival of international cricket in Pakistan and neither do they want the Super League Twenty20 tournament to be held on time. ...