Karachi: The drama in Pakistan Cricket Board continued with the Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday reinstating Najam Sethi as its chairman, by setting aside a government notification which led to his removal, just a day ago.

The court also set aside the appointment of Justice (retd) Justice Ali Shah as caretaker chairman to hold elections of the board in 30 days time.

The court issued a statement stating that the government notification had been declared null and void.

Sethi was removed from his post by the government through the notification yesterday and Justice Shah was appointed to hold fresh elections for the chairman’s position.

Sethi was, however, named on the governing board of the interim set-up, making him eligible to contest the PCB elections. This was challenged in court by the lawyer of his predecessor Zaka Ashraf.

The court ruled that the new constitution drafted under Sethi was also illegal since his appointment was being challenged in court by Ashraf.

Since May, 2013, Zaka Ashraf and Najam Sethi have been in and out of the PCB chairman’s seat, leading to a game of musical chairs in the board which eventually led to the Supreme Court admitting several petitions related to cricket affairs.

The two-member bench, including Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Mian Saquib, also declared the process to hold elections invalid. The judges also said the government's notification was akin to challenging the court’s authority.

“I have told the honourable court that I have no desire to hold onto the post but would like to complete the tasks handed to me,” Sethi said after Friday’s hearing. “The court heard my side and has allowed me to continue in my role until the matter is finally settled,” he said.

The next hearing is on July 21. While the ministry of inter provincial coordination (which looks after sports in Pakistan) and PCB have challenged the restoration of Ashraf. (PTI)