Pak Defence Minister asks 'close relative' Butt to step down to save Pak cricket

Islamabad, Feb.2 (ANI): Pakistan Defence ChaudhryAhmed Mukhtar has reportedly suggested to Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt, who is his close relative, to resign from the post amidst increasing demand for his sacking in the wake of Pakistan's disastrous Australia tour.

Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports Jamshed Ahmed Dasti quoted Mukhtar, as saying : "I have asked him (Butt) to resign from the chairmanship of the PCB, but he is not agreeing."

Dasti also called on Butt to step down to prevent Pakistan cricket from further humiliation and destruction.

"I don't know why Butt is still sticking around as chairman. Even his relative (Ahmed Mukhtar), who once lobbied for him to head the PCB, has asked him to quit and he is not willing to do that. This unprofessional attitude of Butt will ultimately inflict more suffering on the followers of the game in the coming days," The Dawn quoted Dasti, as saying.

Dasti said the next man who would head the PCB should be an experienced individual with command over corporate laws besides also having experience of heading a multinational institution.

"We will give our input regarding a few names after consulting committee members and a few cricket analysts to the PCB's patron President Asif Ali Zardari," he said. (ANI)