'Politics' comes to the fore in PCB as Butt sidelines 'trusted' Wasim Bari

Lahore, Jun.11 (ANI): 'Politics' has not only been a feature of the Pakistan cricket team, but also is endemic in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as the latest case of board chairman Ijaz Butt appointing director cricket operations Zakir Khan to attend an important ICC meeting suggests.

PCB insiders have revealed that all is not well between Butt and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari, who until recently was the board chairman's most trusted man.

"Till recently Bari was Ijaz'z most trusted man and in a matter of days he has been stripped of powers. Ijaz has conveyed his mood to Bari by nominating Zakir to attend the ICC meeting due soon," The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

"Recently Ijaz also stripped Bari of the powers to head the Human Resource department which is a clear indication that life ahead for Bari in the board is going to be tough," they added.

Coach Waqar Younis, who had expressed displeasure over the board's decision to appoint Aaqib Javed as assistant coach, is also believed to have annoyed Butt by questioning decisions taken by the PCB.

The PCB has told Waqar to refrain from making any statement against board's plans and decisions, which was evident from his 'diplomatic' replies during a press conference earlier this week.

"We are both professionals and we have been friends. He has his job to do and I have mine. There are always minor differences that happens but both of us are working in one direction," Waqar had said while responding to a question regarding differences with Aaqib. (ANI)