Share

Pakistan name new chief

Karachi - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday appointed close friend Zaka Ashraf as chairman of the cricket board to replace the controversial Ijaz Butt, despite never having played the game.

Butt had reportedly sought a six-month extension in the high-profile post but Ashraf will instead take over as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman with immediate effect, state-owned Pakistan Television said.

Ashraf, 59, a member of the executive committee of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, said his priority was to improve Pakistan cricket's image abroad after a series of high-profile scandals.

"I will work day and night to live up to president Zardari's confidence," Ashraf told a private television channel. "My top priority will be to improve Pakistan's cricket image and stop bookies and match-fixers."

Ashraf said that he will also try to improve relations with other cricket boards, including great rivals India, with whom sporting and diplomatic ties have stalled after a terrorist attack on Mumbai in 2008.

"People in both Pakistan and India love cricket so I will try to resume ties," said Ashraf.

"I believe in cricket diplomacy and hope that relations with all the countries improve," added Ashraf, who is the 32nd PCB chairman since its inception in 1948.

The reign of former Test player Butt, 73, ended last week after three turbulent years.

Butt was criticised for his policies by former players and parliamentarians alike, but Zardari, who as president of the country is a patron of the PCB, resisted all calls and did not replace him until his tenure expired.

Coinciding with Butt's reign was an attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009 which led to the halting of international cricket in Pakistan that continues to this day with teams too worried about security to tour.

An independent commission investigating the attack accused the PCB of negligence.

Butt also infuriated the England and Wales Cricket Board by alleging English players were involved in match-fixing. He had to retract his statement and apologised after England threatened legal action.

Butt sacked Shahid Afridi as captain in May this year, who in protest announced his retirement from international cricket, vowing not to play while Butt was chairman.

Butt also got rid of Australian coach Geoff Lawson and was criticised for frequent changes to the captaincy and selection committee.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE