Shah Khawar assumes role as PCB chairman

Shah Khawar, Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Election Commissioner and Supreme Court lawyer, assumed the powers of the cricket body's chairman on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by the PCB, Khawar is vested with the powers of the PCB chairman as per the notification issued by the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry and under Article 7(2) of the PCB constitution.

“I would like to thank the Patron of the PCB, Mr Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, for reposing trust in me," said the newly-appointed chairman, adding that his "primary responsibility will be to hold the election of PCB chairman in a free and transparent manner at the earliest".

The PCB is set to undergo a major overhaul in the coming weeks with its polls likely to take place before February 8 after PM Kakar Tuesday nominated Mohsin Naqvi for the cricketing body's Board of Governors (BoG).

The development came after the premier accepted Zaka Ashraf's resignation as management committee chairman. 

Ashraf, who became part of PCB's BoG on July 6 last year and assumed his role as the chairman by replacing Najam Sethi on the same day, stepped down from the top post last week.

"I was working for the betterment of cricket but it is not possible for us to work in this way," he was quoted saying by those present in the ongoing committee meeting.

The tenure of the now-former chairman saw the Pakistan cricket team fail to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup 2023, followed by the team's exit from the World Cup 2023 without reaching the knockout stage.

Following his resignation, the premier nominated Naqvi — a media channel owner currently serving as Punjab's interim chief minister — who also confirmed his appointment while speaking to reporters in Lahore soon after the news broke out.

Meanwhile, following the acceptance of Ashraf's resignation, the PCB's affairs now fall under the supervision of Khawar — who has been directed to expedite the formation of the BoG and ensure a swift and transparent election process.

As per Clause 2 of Article 7 of the PCB constitution, all powers are transferred to the chief election commissioner in the event of a vacant chairman post.