Ijaz Butt will be removed by October 2011
According to Media Reports, President of Pakistan[Asif Ali Zardari] has decided to remove Ijaz Butt as chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board. Ijaz Butt’s contract will be over in October 2011 and it will not get a “renew” status.
Ex-Chairman of PCB’s ad-hoc committee, Dr.Zafar Altaf, and ex-CEO of PCB, Arif Ali Khan Abbasi(who remained on post from January 1994 to May 1996), are front-runners to take Ijaz Butt’s place. A year ago, name of Dr.Noman Niaz also emerged as PCB’s new chairman. However, there hasn’t been any official announcement made for PCB’s new chairman.
Ijaz Butt was selected chairman of PCB for 2 years in October 2008 and his contract was renewed in 2011. Now his contract will expire in October 2011.
During Ijaz Butt’s tenure, Pakistan Cricket had number of setbacks; Sri Lankan Cricket Team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore 2009 due to a security lapse, Pakistan was stripped off from hosting World Cup 2011, and three Pakistan cricketers were banned due to spot-fixing. Ijaz Butt also accused English players of match-fixing during Pakistan’s tour to England in summer 2010 later he had to take u-turn from his statement.
Only positive for Pakistan, during Ijaz Butt’s tenure, was victory in ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England. This year could be end of Ijaz Butt’s reign. PCB is now looking forward for new chairman.
