Pakistan cricket’s power struggle escalated Tuesday as the government appealed to the Supreme Court to reinstate Najam Sethi as the head of the board.
The Islamabad High Court in February had overturned an order from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to appoint Sethi and oust Zaka Ashraf as chairman. The high court’s ruling reinstated Ashraf for a second time after he was initially suspended in May last year over his dubious election.
The Ministry for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), which oversees sports affairs in the country, has asked the apex court to annul the high court’s decision after its appeal was rejected in the IHC earlier in the day.
“This appeal is against the Islamabad High Court judgment which wrongfully suspended the (order) by the PM,” Asma Jahangir, the government’s lawyer, told reporters.
Ashraf took charge on Monday and vowed to review all the decisions made under Najam Sethi.
This means chief selector Moin Khan, head coach Waqar Younis, batting coach Grant Flower of Zimbabwe and spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed may lose their positions after being appointed earlier this month.
Since taking over Ashraf has removed PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi with immediate effect.