Gilani to press for PCB chief Ijaz Butt’s dismissal with Zardari

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that he would discuss the deteriorating situation of cricket in the country with President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) patron Asif Ali Zardari.

The government is reportedly under tremendous pressure to sack PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, who is being held responsible for bringing the national team into disrepute.

“I will convey to President Zardari regarding the demand of dismissal of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt,” the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

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.

“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,” a 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)