Former test cricketer Abdul Qadir to run for PCB chairman

Former test cricketer Abdul Qadir. PHOTO

Former test cricketer Abdul Qadir has decided to contest in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman elections.

While talking to the media, he stated that competent cricketers such as himself should come forward and contest in the elections.

“The candidate should have the ability to take decisions,” he remarked.

He added, “I will fight for Pakistan’s rights if elected as the chairman.”

“The public wants these elections to take place,” he further stated.

Mohsin Hasan Khan thinking of contesting

Earlier, former chief selector and coach Mohsin Hasan Khan was likely to contest in the PCB chairman elections.

Mohsin Khan had said on October 22 that he had not given it a final thought but was certainly considering running as candidate for chairman.

“If people think that I am capable enough to run cricket affairs then I might give it a thought,” he had stated.

Mohsin, who has played 48 Tests and 75 ODIs from 1977 to 1986 mainly as an opening batsman, had said he had coached the national cricket team and achieved many successful stints under his leadership.

“I believe a cricketer can handle the board matters well if elected,” he had added.

PCB Elections

The top of Pakistani cricket has been in turmoil since October 21 when a court ordered elections for the board chairman to be held in two weeks.

The ruling by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) scuppered moves by a new Interim Management Committee (IMC) to delay choosing a permanent chairman for the PCB.

The PCB has been in uproar since May, when the Islamabad court had thrown out the then-chairman Zaka Ashraf over what it called the “dubious” process by which he was elected.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had appointed veteran journalist Najam Sethi as interim PCB chairman in June but a month later the court ordered Sethi to hold elections by October 18.

Two weeks ago, Sharif took over as PCB patron and had appointed the IMC to take over the day-to-day running of the game in an effort to end the months of confusion.

The IMC wanted to put elections for the chairman back to allow time for various local cricket associations to resolve outstanding legal issues.

But high court judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to press ahead with elections.

PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi had said the court had ordered elections for the post of chairman to be held by November 2.