Lahore, 9 November 2024: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Sumair Ahmad Syed as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) following the Board of Governors’ approval during their 75th meeting, held at the National Cricket Academy under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi.
Sumair, a seasoned civil servant with substantial administrative experience, most recently held the role of Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. He takes over from Salman Naseer, who has moved into two critical roles: Advisor to the PCB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) department.
Salman Naseer, who served as COO for nearly five years, had announced he would not seek a contract renewal following his term’s completion in February 2025. His tenure was marked by dedicated service and key advancements in PCB’s operational structure. With PSL’s planned expansion to include two new teams in 2026 and the goal to establish the PSL as an independent entity, the PCB’s Board of Governors appointed Salman as PSL’s CEO to guide the league’s growth while he also provides strategic advice to the Chairman.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Sumair Ahmad and acknowledged Salman Naseer’s contributions, stating: “Sumair brings impressive expertise and administrative acumen, and we are excited to welcome him to the PCB. His leadership will be instrumental as we aim to fortify our administrative framework and push PCB towards becoming a high-performance organization. Salman has made invaluable contributions as COO, and his experience is crucial as we set new goals for PSL and broader PCB objectives.”
On his appointment, Sumair expressed gratitude and excitement for the road ahead. “Joining PCB as COO is both a tremendous honor and responsibility, especially during such a transformative time,” he said. “As a lifelong supporter of Pakistan cricket, I am eager to collaborate with the PCB team to bring our Chairman’s vision to life, focusing on our national teams’ success, infrastructure development, and creating more opportunities for emerging talent.”
Sumair also highlighted the significant role cricket plays in unifying Pakistan, emphasizing his commitment to fostering good governance and promoting the sport’s growth nationwide.
Salman Naseer expressed his pride in his tenure and support for Sumair, remarking, “Leading the PCB’s management team has been an incredible journey, filled with rewarding progress and collective achievements. I’m grateful to the PCB Chairman, Board of Governors, and colleagues for their support. I look forward to seeing Sumair drive PCB’s goals and am confident his expertise will only strengthen PCB’s trajectory.”
With Sumair Ahmad now at the helm as COO and Salman Naseer assuming an influential dual role, the PCB is well-positioned for ambitious growth in its national and international cricket pursuits.
