KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf dictated terms after personally getting involved to make Mohammad Hafeez the captain of Lahore Lions and forcing former national captain Mohammad Yousuf to step down.
Few eyebrows were raised when Hafeez was listed as captain on the Lions’ team sheet after opting against playing for his home side Faisalabad Wolves, due to differences with its cricket association.
But it has been learnt by The Express Tribune that Ashraf forced his authority to make Hafeez the man in charge.
His efforts proved futile initially as Lahore Regional Cricket Association (LRCA) stood firm over their stance of backing Yousuf as captain. He then involved PCB officials to turn the matter in his favour and after his efforts, the PCB chairman succeeded in having Yousuf replaced as captain.
“The PCB chairman wanted Hafeez to become captain as it was embarrassing that Pakistan’s T20 skipper was not leading a side in the national T20 tournament,” an official told The Express Tribune. “Yousuf showed what a great man he is by pulling out of the captaincy to avoid a deadlock.”
Meanwhile, LRCA officials opted not to comment when contacted on the issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ