Pakistan government appeals decision to sack Njam Sethi

Pakistan cricket’s power struggle escalated on Tuesday as the government appealed to the supreme court to reinstate Najam Sethi as the head of the board and replace Zaka Ashraf.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi wants the top spot back. AFP PHOTO/Arif ALI
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ISLAMABAD // Pakistan cricket’s power struggle escalated on Tuesday as the government appealed to the supreme court to reinstate Najam Sethi as the head of the board.

The Islamabad high court in February had overturned an order from prime minister Nawaz Sharif to appoint Sethi and remove Zaka Ashraf as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The high court’s ruling reinstated Ashraf for a second time after he was initially suspended in May last year over his dubious election.

The ministry for inter-provincial coordination, which oversees sports affairs in the country, has now asked the supreme court to annul the high court’s decision.

“This appeal is against the Islamabad high court judgment which wrongfully suspended the [order] by the PM,” said Asma Jahangir, the government’s lawyer. Ashraf took charge on Monday and vowed to review all the decisions made under Sethi.

This means chief selector Moin Khan, head coach Waqar Younis, batting coach Grant Flower of Zimbabwe and spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed may lose their positions after being appointed earlier this month.

Since taking over, Ashraf has removed the PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi with immediate effect.

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