Pakistan government bans Pakistan Cricket Board

Pakistan’s caretaker government has stopped the PCB from selling media rights of international matches and the Pakistan Super League, forcing the Cricket Management Committee (CMC) head Zaka Ashraf to postpone his planned visit to Australia and seek a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakaar, who is also the chief patron of the board.

The government’s directive came just as the CMC, managing the affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), had started the process of inviting bids for the sale of PSL and international cricket media rights.

“The government’s Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (sports) has issued a notification to the board making it clear that from now on, the CMC/PCB has to seek permission from the government before signing any major deal,” a reliable source said on Sunday.

He added the notification had even led Ashraf to postpone his planned visit to Australia and seek a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar ul Haq Kakaar.

The government’s notification, mandating approval for every major decision by the board, is seen as a vote of no-confidence against the CMC, headed by Ashraf.

Anticipating a substantial income from the sale of media rights, the PCB now faces a severe setback with the ban in place. The scheduled auction for the broadcasting rights of PSL has also been delayed in light of the government’s decision. Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and PCB’s Cricket Managing Committee head Zaka Ashraf have engaged in discussions regarding the issue; however, no final decision has been reached as of now.