PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt faces the heat at Lahore Airport
The Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt faced the heat as incensed cricket fans converged at Lahore Airport. They chanted slogans of “Shame Shame” as the beleaguered head of the most troubled cricket board in the world answered questions of fired up reporters at the airport in the wake of the damning match and spot fixing scandal that has rocked the world of cricket.
Three Pakistani players Salman Butt, Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif have been suspended after British tabloid “News of the World” claimed to have found substantial evidence against the trio that will prove that they were involved in spot fixing.
The report along with video evidence sent shock waves around the world severely bruising the reputation of the Pakistan team that is popular all around the world.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 was once again at the centre of the controversy as the international and local media had a field day exposing his frailties at the helm of the cricket board.
The former test cricketer has had a tumultuous time ever since he took over the reigns of the sport in the country in October 2008. One after another controversy has made him one of the most unpopular men in the country where cricket is followed as a religion.
Butt had remained silent for most part of the last week, he had shunned international and local media and made only a brief comment on BBC that irked the officials of International Cricket Council.
Butt claimed, that since there was no proof against the trio of Salman Butt, Amir and Asif the PCB was not going to take any action against them and would ensure that they take part in the ODI and T20 series in England.
A day later the ICC suspended the three players claiming that they had enough evidence against the players and had to take the action as the PCB and Pakistan’s High Commission in London had decided to protect the players.
After his perceived staunch stance, the former test cricketer had to face growing criticism from all quarters including some international players of the present and past era.
One of them was former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson, who had also been the coach of Pakistan earlier, and was sent packing by Butt midway through his contract. Quite understandably Lawson decided to take a serious dig at the man who ousted them from the post.
Even some of the neutrals feel that Butt should be “Butted Out” if Pakistan cricket has to regain its lost pride and standing in international cricket.
As always Butt was defiant despite intense pressure at the airport, the reporters who had gathered in a big number put him in the spot throwing a volley of questions.
He admitted that the Board was a little relaxed, but if the players are caught then exemplary punishments will be meted out to them.
He stressed that the Pakistani players who are competing in the limited overs series in England are full of sprit and are keen on making an impression.
Butt concluded that despite the revelations of the British tabloid nothing has been proven against the players and unless concrete evidence comes through PCB will keep backing the beleaguered trio, as it was there right to have the backing of their administrators.
The coming few days are critical for the future of the game in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, and one hopes that the tainted trio will be exonerated by ICC. Hopefully cricket will eventually be making headlines for action on the field rather than off it.
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