| Player: | Ijaz Butt |
DateLine: 9th June 2010
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt has given a signal to former captain Muhammad Yousuf that he had to do it on his own if he wants to play for Pakistan in the future. Talking to News One TV, the PCB chairman said that the board had no intention to make a plea to the senior batsman to revisit his decision. "Yousuf himself called it a day, and now the ball is in his court, if he wants to play again then he had to follow the due procedure", said Ijaz Butt
On a question, the 72-year old chairman denied talking any U-turn by lifting bans and reducing fines on players. "Everything was done in line with the PCB constitution. People may call it a U-turn, but to me it was not", said Butt who has been heading the PCB since October 2008.
Defending the incumbent manager and his close friend Yawar Saeed, the PCB chairman described him as a competent individual. He said that that Mr. Saeed is criticized only because he (Yawar Saeed) is his friend. "I did not bring him (Yawar Saeed) to the board for the first time, he had worked with previous administrations too. Yawar is only targeted because he is a close friend of mine. Let me tell you he (Yawar) is a competent man", said Ijaz Butt
On a question about leg spinner Danish Kaneria, who is being investigated in England for his alleged involvement in match fixing, the PCB chairman said that a formal clearance from the English Cricket Board is still awaited. "Only after a formal clearance from the ECB, Kaneria would be considered for the England tour", said Ijaz Butt
The chairman said that before the announcement of the squad for the England tour, he along with chief selector Mohsin Khan would go to Sri Lanka where the national squad would be announced on June 20th, after consultation with coach and captain.
(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2010 Muhammad Asif Khan)