Delay in notification: Doubts surround PCB’s top post

Presidency yet to officially appoint new chairman, Butt says he has no regrets.

KARACHI:

A delay by the Presidency in issuing a notification has fuelled speculation on the future regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman’s seat. Zaka Ashraf, who was tipped to get the top PCB post and spoke about his plans as the board’s chairman on Tuesday, was still not formally appointed till the filing of this report.

One of the reasons behind the hold-up could be a pending case against Ashraf in the Supreme Court.

However, an official close to the Presidency said the notification on Ashraf’s appointment will be issued shortly.

“He [Ashraf] has received a clear signal, which is why he spoke to the media [on Tuesday],” said the official.

The board is also likely to see a shuffle in its management with former captain Zaheer Abbas tipped to become the PCB chief operating officer, replacing Subhan Ahmed.

“Abbas has been tipped to become the chief operating officer,” added the official while also hinting at other changes.

‘My tenure was satisfying’

Meanwhile, Ijaz Butt termed his three-year tenure as the PCB chairman a satisfying one and hoped that the country’s cricket flourishes under a new chief.

Butt, who took over as the PCB chairman after being appointed by President Asif Ali Zardari in October 2008, ended his tenure last week following a one-year extension.

Butt said he hoped the new PCB boss will take the country’s cricket to greater heights. “I wish best of luck to the new chairman,” Butt told The Express Tribune.

“Hopefully, the new leadership will take Pakistan cricket to greater heights.”

The former Test cricketer rated curbing player-power as his main achievement.

“I did my job with honesty,” said Butt. “Any decision I made was in the interest of the team.

“Player-power was damaging our cricket and I believe working against this factor was one of my main achievements.”

Butt also termed the 2009 World Twenty20 triumph as a memorable one during his tenure.

“The Twenty20 title and reaching the 2011 World Cup semi-finals during my tenure have brought a lot of smiles,” said Butt. However, he termed the gun attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009 and the spot-fixing scandal as unfortunate incidents ‘over which he had no control’.

‘Let new chairman come up with his own policies’

However, when asked if he would like the new chairman to continue with his policies, Butt responded in the negative.

“I won’t and can’t advise the new chairman of continuing with the policies adopted during my tenure.

“Let the new chairman come up with his own policies and plans,” said Butt while adding that he was ready to assist the new PCB chief if asked.

Butt also dismissed the notion that he was seeking an extension to his term as PCB chairman.

“I never asked for an extension. In fact, I decided a long time ago that I will step down.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2011.