Pakistan's decision to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India has drawn widespread support from fans and administrators who hailed the move as a long-overdue stand in a rivalry in which sport and geopolitics have collided.
Senior journalist Najam Sethi was on Tuesday chosen as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous and politically crucial province, ahead of the general election scheduled for May 11.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi withdrew his candidature for the ICC president's post and requested the PCB to nominate a former Test great instead.
Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi is set to be nominated as the next President of the International Cricket Council by the Pakistan board for a one-year term starting in June, 2015.
When I asked UAE Skipper Muhammad Waseem why his team did not appeal for a walkover, he said his team had come to play, and that they had decided to wait as per the request from the authorities. Would any Test-playing country have waited and remained sporting enough to sacrifice their opportunity to play in the knock-out stage?
Pakistan withdrew its pullout threat and showed up for a crucial Asia Cup game against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday but not before causing a delay.
Without naming any intelligence agency, Sethi said during his show on Geo News channel that the organisation's operatives were "in touch with and threatening several other senior journalists". The journalists did not speak about the threats before "because we did not want to destabilise things", he said. "But the time has come when all of them should come forward and speak about it publicly."
Pycroft's decision has not been seen by ICC as a breach of any code of conduct, but as an action he was authorised to take in his remit as a match official deputed to manage the game.
Former Pakistan Cricket Boardchairman Najam Sethi has blamed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for the decline of Pakistan cricket.
The ICC Board accepted the resignation of former president Mustafa Kamal, effective from April 2, and confirmed that no replacement would be appointed for the remaining weeks of his term.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi says the selection committee "will review" the national squad picked for the Champions Trophy even as he defended the controversial selections of batter Khushdil Shah and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Following the terrorist attack on the Karachi police chief's office on Friday, PCB chairman Najam Sethi confirmed that the remaining PSL matches would not be affected.
Sethi, according to the source, has proposed a Pakistan versus Nepal match and Afghanistan versus Bangladesh, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka v Bangladesh matches in Pakistan.
Ashraf announced his decision to step down after chairing a managing committee meeting in Lahore on Friday
Current senior selector Aaqib Javed and former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are in fray to replace Gary Kirsten as Pakistan's new white ball coach after the former Proteas batter stepped down
Ramiz's sacking comes after Babar Azam's team lost the home series against England 3-0, which hit Pakistan's chances of reaching next year's ICC World Test Championship final.
PCB's interim chief Najam Sethi said he will not seek a permanent position in the PCB after pulling out of the race to be its next chairman.
Mickey Arthur, Pakistan's former Team Director, admitted that the ODI World Cup match against India at Ahmedabad was one of the toughest moments during his stint.
Venkatesh Prasad reserved his best zingers for Pakistan during his playing days.
The PCB clarified that the concept of a 'hybrid model' of tournament was strictly pertaining to Asia Cup since India will not travel to Pakistan.
A Pakistani media baron, the 45-year-old is the 37th full-time chairman of the PCB.
'When all other teams including Australia, England, New Zealand are playing in Pakistan without any issues there should be no security concerns for India to tour Pakistan.'
The approval of the Asia Cup's schedule also meant that Pakistan would travel to India for the ODI World Cup in October-November. The arch-rivals are expected to face off at the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi has informed ICC that Pakistan will not play at the Narendra Modi Stadium unless it's a WC knockout game.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Friday hit back strongly at Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi "vehemently denying baseless allegations" of unilateral decision making levelled against its president Jay Shah.
Though the other members support regarding the Asia Cup matters, PCB chairman Najam Sethi said India has big clout.
Sethi has already indicated that if the Pakistan government doesn't give clearance or has security concerns about sending the team to India, PCB could ask the ICC to hold Pakistan's matches at a neutral venue.
"In principle, India should get more, there is no doubt about that but ... how is this table being developed?" Sethi said.
ICC withdraws demerit point to Rawalpindi stadium
Rohit Sharma led team won't travel to Pakistan, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed on Wednesday.
A political source revealed that Naqvi assumed the role of chairman through a clear understanding between influential stakeholders and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi is exploring all options as far as this year's Asia Cup in Pakistan and ODI World Cup in India are concerned, saying it's time to "take a clear position".
Asia Cup matches likely to be shifted out of Colombo after heavy rains
There is a possibility that the Asia Cup might be scrapped entirely this year and India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan could end up playing a multi-team event in 50-overs format before the World Cup.
'Najam Sethi tweets at 2 in the night that Ramiz Raja is out. Is this respect for a former captain? I was not even allowed to go to the office and collect my belongings.'
The ICC chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice will be meeting PCB chairman Najam Sethi at board's Lahore headquarters to discuss the issues related to their participation in the ODI World Cup.
ICC leaders in Pakistan to secure World Cup participation
Sethi toes Raja's line on Asia Cup
Zaka Ashraf said he "will not block" the decision taken by his predecessor Najam Sethi
Arthur is not coming because of the unreliable environment in Pakistan cricket
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances