No differences with Waqar: PCB Chairman

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt has played down any rifts with the national coach Waqar Younis following a public reminder for the coach not to indulge in the board’s matters.

Butt was reportedly unhappy with Younis because of his comments about the team and other cricket matters but the chairman denied any ill-feelings towards the former fast-bowler.

“I don’t have any differences with Waqar,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “In fact, I’m on very good terms with him and he’s a nice gentleman.”

The selection committee meeting that also involved the PCB chairman and captain Shahid Afridi did not include Younis with reports that he was not invited by the management for such an important meeting. Younis was also absent from the press conference that followed in which the 15-man squad for the Asia Cup was announced.

Butt, however, played down this issue as well saying it was only “exaggeration” on the part of the media. The chairman added that he was satisfied with the coach’s performance and that Younis was working hard to get the best out of his players.

“I hope Younis would serve for a long time. As long as the team gives the desired results under his supervision, he’ll remain the coach of Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Butt said efforts were underway by the PCB for the revival of international cricket in the country and that board officials were in constant touch with nearly all the other boards to host a series at any level in Pakistan.

“The security situation in the country is not improving because of which teams are reluctant to visit Pakistan but we’re still trying to host a series and quite confident that we’ll host a team in the near future.”

Butt added that by hosting the series against South Africa in the UAE later this year, the PCB would generate good revenue which would benefit cricket in Pakistan.

The series consists of a solitary Twenty20, five One-Day Internationals and two Tests starting on October 27.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2010.