Najam Sethi withdraws from race for PCB chairman

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi on Tuesday announced his withdrawal from the candidacy for chairmanship of the board and said that he doesn’t want to be a bone of contention between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Currently serving as the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Sethi emphasised that the instability and uncertainty caused by such conflicts would not be beneficial for the board. “Salaam everyone! I don’t want to be a bone of contention between Asif Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif.
Such instability and uncertainty are not good for PCB. Under the circumstances, I am not a candidate for chairmanship of the PCB. Good luck to all stakeholders,” he tweeted.
Sethi also expressed his reluctance to get involved in the controversy a few days ago, The News International reported.
“I have heard speculations surrounding the PCB chairmanship. I don’t get involved in this matter because it depends on the patron,” he said, speaking to the media in Lahore on Friday. He also said he would accept any decision taken by PM Shehbaz, who is also the PCB’s patron.
“Our responsibility was to restore the 2014 constitution. At this point, we are ready for elections with regional and departmental representatives on board. We are waiting for two nominees, after which I will announce the election,” he said.
“If you ask me, I don’t want a mess. If the patron and Zardari Sahab want me to continue, I will be okay with it. If they want Zaka Sahab to become the chairman, I would welcome their decision and leave,” The News International quoted Sethi as saying.