The last several months have been very eventful for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to say the least. The board underwent three changes in the chairmanship, the new coaching staff took positions while many management seats were made to vacate and offered to others. And it looks like this cyclone of change isn’t ready to settle down yet or is it? Modifications might happen to form a new PCB management under the current leadership. But what part of all the rumours is true?
The new PCB management
The cycle of substitutions began when former cricketer Ramiz Raja was made to step down as the chairman and Mr Najam Sethi was forced onto the seat. This happened in December 2022. With Sethi on top, he ensured the entire management was changed to his liking.
A new selection committee was structured that comprised Haroon Rashid as the chair, Hassan Cheema as secretary and manager of analytics, Mickey Arthur as team director, and Grant Bradburn as the men’s national team head coach.
In early July, the board chairmanship was taken over by Zaka Ashraf and a new PCB management was in the books again
Who is going to be sacked now?
Whether it’s within the men’s national team or outside of it, controversy and rumours have always surrounded the PCB. With Zaka Ashraf chairing the board now, the word on the street is that the managing committee is being prepared to undergo changes yet again.
After he took charge, it was alleged that a hunt for a new selection committee leader has started.
Then Misbah-ul-Haq was thrown in the spotlight as the new contender for the seat. Later, Misbah was announced as secretary to the chairman and nothing more than that.
He refused to lead the selection committee but named a few for the position so that a new PCB management can be set up. Amongst all this chaos, another gossip of the sacking of Mickey Arthur, Hassan Cheema and Bradburn started making rounds on social media.
The truth behind all the chaos
Even if the rumours were true, they won’t be acted upon now. After an uproar on social media and especially after a very successful Sri Lanka Test tour, it has been made clear that there is no truth to the formulation of a new PCB management. Sources close to the board have confirmed that the current stakeholders will be maintained
Hence it’s safe to say that nothing and no one is being changed, replaced, or sacked. The current management stays and that is what matters the most. So for now, let’s enjoy some good cricket and hope the men in green will bring the Cricket World Cup 2023 glory home this year.
