The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board termed Spot-fixing events as the biggest disappointment of his Tenure – Cricket News Update
Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman disclosed that the spot –fixing scandals of Batsman Salman Butt, and bowlers Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif were the serious disappointments of his term. Butt further added, that this entire episode is not past for him and still
pinches his heart.
Chairman PCB, Ijaz Butt was talking to a Pakistani media channel yesterday in an exclusive interview in which he expressed these feelings.
The 76 year old former Test cricketer replaced Nasim Ashraf as the head of Pakistan Cricket Board in October 2008. Since then, he has seen many controversies related to him and the team players.
The Spot-fixing scandal of three top players of Pakistan struck Pakistani cricket during Butt’s tenure and had devastating effects on cricket in the country. This included the most promising young batsman Salman Butt, talented bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad
Asif.
Ijaz Butt disappointed on the issue told the media, “It hurt a lot especially when I came to know the details that they were responsible for spot-fixing. Although initially when we spoke to them they swore on oath they were not involved and were innocent.”
The three players were one of the finest young players Pakistani cricket had but faded away very quickly. They were accused of Spot-fixing in the Test series at Lord’s against England in 2010. The International Council for Cricket punished Salman, Asif and
Amir with the ban of 10, 7 and 5 years.
Salman’s issue struck the PCB chief hard, as he saw an excellent captain for Pakistani cricket team in this fine batsman. Ijaz stated, “He had the educational background, grooming and performances to carry on as captain. He would have solved our captaincy
problems. But he did a very stupid thing.”
Ijaz clarified his position and said that he is always blamed by the players for being un-supportive, but this is not true. He further said that in Amir’s matter, when ICC froze his accounts, it was Ijaz who proposed a monthly stipend for this young bowler,
so that he did not face any financial problems. This proposition was denied by ICC but Ijaz did give it a shot.
The former Test cricketer and the present PCB chief further revealed that if Shoaib Malik gets clearance from the integrity committee of PCB, he has chances of playing in the national team again.
When Ijaz Butt replaced Afridi as the Pakistani captain and appointed Misbah ul Haq as his successor, he faced sheer criticism from Afridi and his fans.
To clarify his stance, Butt revealed that in the present scenario and with the choice of players he had, he could not have found any better option the Misbah.
Chairman PCB also discussed the matters of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and Coach Waqar Younis. He further added that he has always been criticized since his appointment as the head of PCB and this is what hinders most of his plans. Butt declared that cricket
in Pakistan is going through a rough time but these accusations and lack of support would do no good to the situation.
All he demanded was support to brighten the future of cricket in Pakistan.
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