Thaindian News

Islamabad, Sep 24 (ANI): Pakistan’s Ministry of Sports has expressed its helplessness to take action against any official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), including its Chairman Ijaz Butt, for running the affairs of the board in an incompetent manner.

The PCB and its chief came under severe criticism from the Upper House for their incompetence in putting the board on the right track, particularly after the recent allegations of match fixing against some of its players and the team’s poor performance during the England tour, the Daily Times reported.

“The Ministry of Sports cannot take any action against the PCB officials, including its chairman, as it (PCB) is an autonomous body and the ministry would not be able to do anything in this regard,” said the Federal Minister for Culture- Pir Aftab Jilani- while replying to a question in a Senate session, on behalf of the Ministry of Sports.

He also admitted that there was a dire need of stern action against the players who had performed poorly in the series against England.

The senators were enraged that no action had been taken against Butt, despite his poor performance as the head of the PCB.

Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Zahid Khan said that he wanted to know whose backing Butt had, so that he could not be removed. “If the ministry is helpless, then show us the authority, which could have the power to take any action against him”, he asked.

Senator Ismail Buledi, expressing serious concern over the poor performance of the cricket team in the recent tour of England, wanted to know a way of getting rid of the PCB chairman, while he wondered how Butt was still on the post despite the privilege committee’s recommendation of sacking him.

Some of the lawmakers also criticised the PCB’s discriminatory attitude against certain cricketers. Senator Abbas Khan asked why Younus Khan was not in the team, adding that he should be included in the team on an urgent basis. (ANI)