ISLAMABAD: Rumours are rife about a massive shift in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and talks about replacing Ramiz Raja as PCB Chairman has resurfaced once again.
According to sources, the following federal cabinet meeting may discuss amendments in the board’s constitution along with the potential removal of Ramiz Raja and Asad Ali Khan from PCB Board of Governors (BoG). This will pave way for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint a new PCB Chairman under Article 47 of the board’s constitution.
Furthermore, changes in the board’s constitution are also expected, if the federal government deems it necessary to make changes at this moment in time.
A number of high-ranking officials have backed the idea of replacing Ramiz Raja and PM Shehbaz Sharif has already met with Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and Khalid Mahmood. It is worth pointing out that no meeting between the newly elected PM and current PCB Chairman has been conducted thus far.
Traditionally, PCB management also sees a change after a shift in management in Pakistan’s government as well. However, Raja has been retained; the reason behind this is that a high-ranking official backed Ramiz’s performance which saw him retain the power as PCB Chairman.
Ramiz Raja, in a conversation with the media, had voiced his opinion about resignation following the departure of PM Imran Khan. However, there was no development on that front either.
The source further added that under the current PCB constitution, the government cannot directly change the PCB Chairman. However, following the changes in the PCB constitution, it will reserve the right to withdraw its nominations for the governing board and avoid direct action to avoid any controversy in case a legal battle may break out.
In addition to this, the new government is also keen on changing the domestic circuit, which was created at the behest of former PM Imran Khan.
