Pak parliamentary committee on sports and PCB engaged in ‘vitriolic’ war of words

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s parliamentary committee on sports has called for the immediate dismissal of “unfit” PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt and others in the top management, following the national side’s dismal test defeats against Australia.

“The team is not performing well and it’s a serious thing. Ijaz has gone too old. He is physically unfit, he can’t even walk properly, he can’t even see properly. If I had my way Ijaz would be in jail,” the Daily Times quoted Dasti, as saying.

Dasti said that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also PCB patron, should dismiss PCB boss Ijaz, COO Wasim Bari, director Zakir Khan and coach Intikhab Alam.

The PCB has reacted strongly to Dasti’s statement, saying it was both ‘un-parliamentary and uncalled for’.

“The PCB considers the selection of words attributed to the honourable member unworthy for a Member of Parliament and not befitting to his stature,” the statement said.

The PCB said it had high respect for the house and its honourable members but such personal remarks would not do Pakistan cricket any good.

“We have already witnessed the impact of such remarks that put the career of a very refined cricketer Younus Khan in turmoil. On the chairman’s return from Bangladesh, the PCB reserves the right for a detailed response on the uncalled for and un-parliamentary language used by Mr Dasti,” the statement said. (ANI)