LAHORE  - Former Test cricketer Abdul Qadiron Wednesday announced to contest the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman election. Talking to the reporters here, Qadir said: “I have served the game for decades in different roles and I know cricket from A to Z, therefore, I have decided to contest the election to serve the game in a better role.”
He said it was for the first time in the history of Pakistan cricket that the elections of the PCB chairman were going to be held as per the directions of the apex court and former cricketers were also eligible to contest the elections. “The reason behind contesting the election is my ability to take daring decisions on challenging issues and I have dealt such issues with my expertise when I was the chief selector,” he stated.
Qadir was of the view that the PCB needed a chairman who was capable of pleading Pakistan case of international cricket revival in the country at the forum of the International Cricket Council (ICC). “If elected, I will take the country’s cricket to new heights by playing a positive role in motivating cricket playing countries to lend support in bringing international cricket back to Pakistan,” the ex-Test cricketer added.  He claimed that only former Test cricketers were capable to run the affairs of the PCB as they understand the game and its allied issues in a better way compared to non-technocrats. “Pakistan cricket is at a stage where decisions are to be taken with wisdom keeping in view the future of the game and to safeguard the interest of Pakistan cricket at international level,” he stated.
He urged the other Test cricketers to come forward and to play their due role for improving the country’s cricket. “I have always served my country and my decision to contest the election also focus on serving the cricket as well as the PCB in an efficient and professional way,” Qadir concluded.
The latest twist came on Tuesday when the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday briefly suspended caretaker chairman Najam Sethi and ordered elections for the post to be held by the end of November. Asian Bradman Zaheer Abbas, former opener Mohsin Khan and ex-Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail also showed interest in contesting for the PCB top slot.
Former captain Zaheer Abbas said he would consider running, while Mohsin Khan said he has the experience for the job. "If I am given the honour of serving as chairman, I would certainly bring about change,” said Mohsin Khan, who was replaced as coach by Dav Whatmore in March last year despite guiding Pakistan to a 3-0 clean sweep of then-world number one Test team England.
The turmoil at the PCB began after the International Cricket Council (ICC) demanded measures to end political interference in the sport. To comply, Zaka Ashraf - who had been appointed by then-president Asif Ali Zardari - stood for election to the job and won, but was ousted following a legal challenge which argued that the process had been flawed.