PCB chief Butt to seek Zardari’s guidance on management crisis

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the PCB patron-in-chief, to seek his guidance to prepare a future course of action for the national team.

“The meeting is expected any time within the next four to five days. It is a crucial meeting in wake of rumors of possible changes in the PCB set-up,” the News quoted a source, as saying.

“The PCB chairman may also seek the President’s guidance regarding some tough decisions which need to be taken in wake of the recent betting and match-fixing controversies,” the source added.

The source further said that the PCB chief has finalized a roadmap for the preparation of the team for the 2011 World Cup.

“The President’s approval would be sought which would help raise a competitive and a controversy-free team for the World Cup. Changes in the PCB management and the team set-up would be made after getting approval from the Patron,” he added.

Earlier, it was reported that Butt had been told by higher authorities to appoint new board officials or forget about getting an extension to his two-year term, which expires this month.

“Ijaz has been told he can continue till the World Cup, but only with a new team and the present set of officials should be changed. The orders have come from the top including the President who is also chief patron of the board and the Prime Minister,” another source had said.

The source had also said that former captain Javed Miandad was expected to get more authority in the new set-up.

“Until now Ijaz has kept Miandad sidelined by making him director cricket, but virtually giving him no authority or say in cricket matters at all. But the higher authorities now want Ijaz to bring about changes and try to put Pakistan cricket back on the right track,” he added.

Butt was appointed as PCB chief by Zardari in October 2008. (ANI)