The PCB will have a new head next month. As per reports, the Punjab province’s caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi is all set to take over, but that could only happen after the Pakistan general elections on 8th February. “The PCB should have a new chairman (Mohsin Naqvi) after the general elections (in Pakistan) on 8th February,” a PCB source told PTI.
For now, it is Shah Khawar, who is heading the board after the resignation of Zaka Ashraf. Meanwhile, it happens to be a tumultuous time for the PCB, as they have witnessed three chairmen in as many years. First, it was Ramiz Raja who took charge in September 2021, then Najam Sethi, and, till recently, it was Ashraf.
Possible Effects & Champions Trophy 2025
Not only the Pakistani team’s performance has dipped amidst this frequent management change, but the board itself looks quite weak. Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy 2025, but this changing of heads means, they won’t be in the best of positions to pressure India, to go and play there.
India, for over a decade, has cut all cricketing relations with Pakistan. But they do meet for ICC events. But travelling to Pakistan has been a big no-no for the team, as all of India’s matches at the Asia Cup 2023, were moved to Sri Lanka. In fact, the original hosts, Pakistan could only have four matches at home, while nine went to Sri Lanka.
Even though BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice President Rajeev Shukla did go to Pakistan during the Asia Cup, that hardly changed India’s stance on the issue.
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What Could it Mean for Pakistan & PCB
The musical chairs in the PCB might just come to haunt them again. With no solid representation, India might ask the ICC to shift the venues altogether, or demand that India matches be played outside of Pakistan. Having said that, it remains to be seen, what course of action the BCCI actually takes.
