Ashraf is named PCB chairman

Banker Zaka Ashraf has been appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board by the country’s president Asif Ali Zardari.

Ashraf will continue as chairman of PCB “until further order”, a presidential spokesman said. The 59-year-old Ashraf, who will resign as president of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd, replaces Ijaz Butt, whose controversy-filled three-year tenure ended last week.

The president, who is also patron of the cricket board, enjoys the sole constitutional power to appoint the PCB chairman. Earlier this year, the International Cricket Council recommended that the PCB introduce elections in order to remove government interference in the sport’s administration by June 2013. However, the PCB appears to have rejected the proposals.

Ashraf, who is also one of Pakistan’s top sugar businessmen, described his new posting as a “big challenge.”.

Foreign teams have not travelled to play in Pakistan since gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team’s bus at Lahore in March 2009. Since then Pakistan has had to organise its home series in the United Arab Emirates.

Spot-fixing, player disputes and the appointment of a new head coach are the key areas that need Ashraf’s attention.