http://forum.dawn.com/2011/10/12/from-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire/
“…involved in corruption, committing irregularities and serious violation of law and indulging in favouritism and discrimination.”
This is the introduction to Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) new chairman Zaka Ashraf, at least according to a petition filed against him in the Supreme Court by a senior officer of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) of which Ashraf is the serving chairman.
Quite an enviable track record (details here), one of Ijaz Butt proportions perhaps.
To Butt’s credit though, he has not been accused of corruption and violation of law just yet, only bad administration.
Ashraf is reputed to be a close friend of the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, the Patron of the PCB, so the appointment might not come as a surprise to some, but the decision seems to be an unwise one considering the new International Cricket Council ruling which states:
“The ICC Annual Conference unanimously supported a proposal to amend the ICC Articles of Association to provide for the important principle of free elections and the independence of member boards.
“It was agreed that all member boards must implement the provisions before annual conference in June 2012 and a further 12 months (to June 2013) would be allowed before any sanctions would be considered. It was noted that it was a well-established principle of modern sporting governance that national federations should be autonomous and free from interference from government in the administration of their affairs.”
So at best, Ashraf is a stop-gap appointment, and that too with a lot of alleged baggage.
Hours after his appointment, the new PCB chairman claimed that he would cleanse the game of corruption and scandals.
But can an individual who has apparently failed to deliver in one position of power, be inspirational in another?
With no cricketing background and administration the only criteria to judge by, is Ashraf a logical choice?
