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Will Najam Sethi replace Zaka Ashraf as PCB chief?

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LAHORE: As a result of the ongoing political developments in the country, Zaka Ashraf, the recently-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Managing Committee chairman, is facing removal from his position, The News reported Thursday.

According to sources, the surprising move to replace Ashraf is directly linked to the recent shift of the Pakistani government to caretaker status — which occurred on August 9 — as the nation prepares for upcoming elections.

With reports of Ashraf’s potential removal, former defacto PCB Chairman Najam Sethi — who held the position until December 2022 — is believed to be a leading contender to reclaim the role. 

Sethi had voluntarily withdrawn from the chairmanship race earlier this year, showing deference to the dynamics between Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif, two prominent political figures.

However, with the recent directive from the Pakistan Election Commission urging the withdrawal of political appointments, Sethi’s potential return to the PCB leadership has gained traction.

Historically, the position of PCB chairman has been influenced by political affiliations, often leading to changes in leadership based on shifts in the political landscape. 

Ashraf’s ascent to the role in July 2023, replacing Sethi, had marked a departure from this tradition. The Pakistan People’s Party’s demand for their nominee to assume the PCB chairman position had facilitated Ashraf’s appointment, disrupting Sethi’s seven-month tenure.

The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has reportedly communicated with the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, identifying Ashraf as a political appointee targeted for removal in line with the Election Commission’s directive. 

The aim is to ensure a level playing field for the electoral process and eliminate any potential biases stemming from political appointments.

Zaka’s impending exit from the PCB leadership, merely two months after his assumption of the role, has created uncertainty.

The dynamics surrounding this transition point toward a potential transformation in how the PCB chairman position is selected, indicating a potential move away from the traditional political appointment process.

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The BCCI has confirmed that Pakistan’s name will be on India’s jersey during the Champions Trophy.

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On Wednesday, the BCCI confirmed that Pakistan’s name would be put on India’s shirt.

According to Indian media, India’s shirt would incorporate the Champions Trophy emblem, which has been approved by the ICC. The Indian team will adhere to the International Cricket Council’s mega-event criteria.

The BCCI has underlined that the Indian squad will respect the ICC’s norms.

It is worth noting that the Champions Trophy begins on February 19.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) urged the ICC to severely enforce the BCCI’s policies.

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The Indian team must have the “Pakistan” logo on their uniforms, the ICC warns the BCCI.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received a warning from the International Cricket Council about its unwillingness to include the logo of Pakistan on the trophy kits of its winning team.

The International Cricket Council has given a strong message to the Indian board on this, according to Indian NDTV.

As part of its host nation policy, the Indian board claimed that it was not interested in having Pakistan’s name appear on their team uniform. However, the ICC rejected this claim.

In reality, the ICC has urged the Indian board to clarify that, since the country was the tournament’s original host, the Indian squad must have “Pakistan” printed on their uniform.

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BCCI disregards tradition; Pakistan absent from Champions Trophy 2025 jerseys

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India’s preparations for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been marred by tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

In a deviation from convention, the Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, would omit Pakistan’s name off their shirts, despite the event being hosted by Pakistan.

This action occurs against a backdrop of intensifying political and security conflicts between the two cricketing powerhouses.

Although the Champions Trophy is scheduled to occur in Pakistan, India has chosen to establish its squad in Dubai, citing persistent security apprehensions in the host country. This move has faced criticism from the PCB, which saw it as a diplomatic affront.

A PCB official denounced the action, alleging that the BCCI is politicizing cricket. The official stated, “India’s refusal to participate in Pakistan, coupled with their decision to withhold their captain from the opening ceremony, constitutes a direct affront to the event’s integrity.”

The omission of Pakistan’s name from the Indian squad’s shirts is perceived as an effort to diminish the host nation, representing a departure from the customary inclusion of the host country’s name on team attire.

The official articulated apprehensions that these measures would compromise the integrity of the competition. The BCCI is introducing politics into cricket, which is harmful to the sport. They declined to travel to Pakistan and are now unwilling to send their skipper to the opening ceremony. Reports indicate that they prefer not to feature the host nation’s name on their shirts. The official expressed a desire for the ICC to intervene and avert additional politicization, urging the sport’s governing body to take action.

The rivalry escalates as the two nations ready themselves for a critical confrontation in the tournament. India’s group-stage itinerary features a highly anticipated encounter with Pakistan on February 23, succeeded by a match against New Zealand on March 2. This event will signify India’s reentry into ICC play since their 2013 Champions Trophy victory under former captain MS Dhoni.

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