Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to nominate two names for the role of chairmanship of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday (today).
Sharif, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the PCB, is likely to suggest the names of former chairman Zaka Ashraf, who is the top contender for the role of chairman, and renowned Supreme Court lawyer Mustafa Ramday for inclusion in the Board of Governors (BoG).
It must be noted that the PM’s appointment to the PCB BoG usually becomes the chairman.
Earlier today, Najam Sethi confirmed that he is no longer in the race to become the PCB chairman.
Sethi, who is currently the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, shared the update in a tweet on Tuesday.
The 75-year-old said that he doesn't want to be a "bone of contention" between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsan Ur Rehman Mazari had reiterated that Zaka Ashraf, who has the backing of the PPP leadership, will become the next chairman of the PCB.
Mazari, while speaking in a local television show, said Sethi's mandate, being the head of the Management Committee, was only to conduct free and fair elections in regions.
"Najam Sethi came to temporarily head the interim Management Committee and only had one mandate to conduct elections in the cricket regions," he said.
PPP's stance on the matter is that since its minister heads the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division and PCB is related to the ministry, its chairman should be appointed by the party.
In December last year, PM Shehbaz Sharif, who is also PCB's patron, appointed the 14-member committee to reinforce the 2014 constitution, bringing back departmental cricket.
Initially, 120 days were given to the committee to restore the 2014 constitution. However, a two-month extension was given to Sethi and company which ends on June 21.
The PCB BoG already has four representatives from departments and as many from associations.
After the nominations from the PM, the chief election commissioner will announce the schedule for the election, which is likely to take place this week, of the PCB chairman.
Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai is a senior reporter for Geo News.