Zaka Ashraf Steps Down as Chairman of PCB Management Committee

Lahore: Zakauddin Ashraf has tendered his resignation as the Chairman of the Management Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday. Citing challenging working conditions as the primary reason, Zaka Ashraf has also stepped down as a member of the board of governors, a move that could have far-reaching implications for cricket administration in the country.

Ashraf, who took over as the Chairman of the Management Committee on July 6, 2023, succeeding Najam Sethi, has reportedly submitted his resignation to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar. While the specific reasons for his departure remain undisclosed, the void left by Zaka Ashraf’s exit may impact the overall functioning of cricket affairs in Pakistan.

This announcement comes on the heels of a series of resignations from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where Mickey Arthur, Andrew Puttick, and Grant Bradburn stepped down from their positions. The trio, previously holding key roles, had been reassigned following the Pakistan men’s team’s disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup.

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Mickey Arthur, the former director of the Pakistan men’s team, along with Andrew Puttick, the batting coach, and Grant Bradburn, the head coach, resigned just a day before departure of Zaka Ashraf.

The cricketing turmoil continued for Pakistan today with another defeat against New Zealand, marking the fourth consecutive loss in the series. New Zealand now leads with a commanding 4-0 margin. This follows a disappointing tour of Australia from December 2023 to January 2024, where the Pakistan men’s team faced challenges on the field.

As the cricketing landscape undergoes changes both in leadership and coaching staff, the Pakistan Cricket Board faces a period of transition and introspection to address the challenges and restore the team’s performance on the international stage.