Another turn in the Basit-Hamid scuffle

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan will take a decision after consulting board members in Lahore

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan on Saturday said that he has heard the narratives of both Basit Khan and Mahmood Hamid and a decision will be made on the matter after consultation with other members in Lahore.

Basit has been accused of slapping Mahmood Hamid in alleged retaliation over criticism directed at him during a recent TV show.

“Board empowered me to take a decision on Basit and Mahmood,” said Shaharyar while addressing media at National Stadium Karachi. “I talked to each of them independently. I listened to both sides of the story. Both of them have buried the hatchet.”

He added: “I have the power to take a decision now. I will talk to other board members in Lahore before deciding anything. We will not be lenient about physical violence. There is no witness of the event.”

When Basit was asked about his meeting with Shaharyar, he said: “Najam Sethi and Shaharyar scolded me however they are happy with my work. I took my resignation back on Sethi’s request.”

Meanwhile, Hamid had a different story to tell when questioned about his one on one with Shaharyar.

“I have asked PCB chairman to take the decision and I will not oppose his verdict,” he said. “Basit didn’t apologise. We just presented our independent comments to the PCB chairman. The chairman knows everything. If someone backs away from his narrative then I cannot do anything. I have told everyone the truth. Atiquz Zaman is the witness. Chairman should talk to him.”