Malcolm Speed calls Ijaz Butt a ‘buffoon’: Ijaz Butt to take formal course of action
After the rejection of Australian nominee John Howard for the ICC vice-presidency, Malcolm Speed came out in full support of Howard, calling the entire rejection process as a political move from the Asian block. What caused the main controversy was his immature statement against PCB’s Chairman Ijaz Butt. Some reports suggest that Malcolm Speed called the PCB Chairman as a ‘buffoon’ while calling the Pakistan cricket team as “a basket case”.
Ijaz Butt has had to face a lot of criticism in the recent past as well but this statement was a direct hit from someone who has held the highest position in the International Cricket Council (ICC). When Ijaz Butt was asked for his reply, he refused to comment by saying that the PCB was still verifying the authenticity of his remarks. Some media reports are now suggesting that Ijaz Butt has taken a formal route and has written a letter to ICC’s current President Sharad Pawar. Apparently Pawar has also taken notice and has given Ijaz Butt a positive response. Chances are that the topic will come under a lot of debate in the board’s next meeting.
A PCB spokesperson said, “We will not comment on Speed's statement at this time we are in the process of confirming the statement carried in the Australian media”. Former Pakistani cricketers have slammed Malcolm Speed for his irresponsible and childish statement. Some have doubted his tenure and role as an ICC Chief Executive Officer.
However, Speed’s statement is partially true if not completely. Some glaringly poor management within the Pakistan Cricket Board lead by Ijaz Butt has allowed many to make negative statements against him. The problem is primarily with the system that is followed in Pakistan cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board is run on an adhoc basis without a constitution by the chairman of the board, who calls all the shots without any consultation or approval. Pakistan has faced a lot of criticism at the international level due to different reasons. Pakistan has been barred from holding any cricket on home soil because of terrorist threats. Many have claimed that this is a failure of its management to fight its case at the international level.
Pakistan’s management and the country as a whole faced an embarrassing situation when the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by gunmen in the heart of Lahore, which is the provisional capital http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was left alone and had to take the legal route against the ICC. This decision of Ijaz Butt was a recipe for disaster. However, the PCB wisely settled the matter out of court.
Some experts suggest that Ijaz Butt and his subordinates went into an ICC meeting without any preparation with regards to John Howard’s nomination. It was only after the BCCI’s rejection of the former Australian Prime Minister that Ijaz Butt followed the course and rejected his candidature as well. It was more of a damage control move by the PCB Chairman in order to regain the support from the Asian block.
Malcolm Speed has gone through a tenure full of conflicts and controversies in the ICC. During his tenure with Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 needs to work out things on merit rather than gathering support from his personal friends and former colleagues.
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