Najam Sethi, who has been at the forefront to revive international cricket in an embattled country like Pakistan, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Wednesday during the Board of Governors (BoGs) meeting in Lahore, following the completion of Shaharyar Khan’s three-year tenure as a chief.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) chairman Sethi has also worked as the chairman of PCB’s executive committee before being announced as the supremo of the board in a bid to contribute to the gentleman’s game in the cricket-starved country as he would hold the office for the third time.
Moreover, former cricketers have also backed the introduction of Sethi at the helm of cricket affairs.
“I support him all the way and the main reason is PSL,” former fast bowler and skipper Wasim Akram was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.
Interestingly, Sethi was unanimously elected by a 10-member BoGs committee, as it is mandatory for the nominee to be the part of the members owing to the Board’s constitution.
In June 2013, Sethi was the head of PCB up to January 2014. However, he was re-appointed in February 2014 for the period of four months.
It becomes pertinent Sethi, who’s a prominent journalist has confronted many challenges in the recent past before being credit for his work.
Recently, Sethi has helped in conducting the second edition of PSL final at Gaddafi Lahore Stadium in Lahore by his sheer hard work alongside other members of the management which was equally supported by the government.
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On the other side, former Pakistan gloveman Rashid Latif revealed Sethi has the capability to play a crucial role in Pakistan’s cricket as he is the right man to rely on.
“He has also been working on youngsters. The team is on the top, the captain is on the top, PSL is on the top and now he will take PCB on to the top,” Latif maintained.
It’s pertinent to mention the Patron of the PCB is country’s Prime Minister and Sethi was re-elected by the newly-appointed PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who has joined the office on August 1 after former PM was disqualified by the Supreme Court owing to the legal case.
“He has been trying to invite international teams to Pakistan and he will succeed in that too,” Latif added.
Sethi, who has become the 32nd chairman of the PCB, has succeeded octogenarian Shaharyar after the latter decided to step down earlier, but the former PCB patron Sharif rejected his resignation and suggested him to continue till his ending of a term which eventually ended on August 6.
Sethi was also lauded for his outstanding work in the domestic setup owing to his administration qualities.