PCB had wanted Lahore Test in Karachi

Karachi: PCB chairman Ejaz Butt on Monday said they were not in favour of hosting the fateful Test match in Lahore in March during which the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by terrorists.

Butt claimed that they had suggested the government to hold that match in Karachi as the security condition in Punjab was not good but nobody listened to them.

"But a top government official rejected our suggestion and said the Test would be held in Lahore. The implementation of the security arrangements for the visiting team was also that of the government, the board could do nothing about it," Butt said.

The PCB chief said the inquiry by the Lahore High Court had found out the people who were responsible for the lax security arrangements.

"I can't name anyone but the inquiry report is there for everyone to see," he told a TV Channel.

Butt rubbished allegations that he promotes nepotism and also rued appointment of former Test players in the Board.

He said if some of the former players do not resign they would eventually be sacked.

During his tenure, which began in October last year, Butt appointed Aamer Sohail as director of game development and Javed Miandad as director general cricket and Abdul Qadir as chief selector.

When he took over as PCB chairman, former Test player Saleem Altaf was already working in the board as its COO.

Qadir and Sohail resigned recently due to differences with Butt while Miandad first resigned and then was brought back with enhanced powers.

Butt said that the impression that he preferred sycophants was wrong.

"This is a wrong impression that I prefer people who pander to me or are my relatives or friends. I want people who can deliver because I run a big business house. Appointing former players was my mistake," he said.

Butt, himself a former Test player, is accused of nepotism and favoritism contended that his sister-in-law Shireen Javed, who is the Chairperson of the PCB women's wing was already working when he took over while Muhammad Naeem another relative is working in the board as financial advisor on honorary basis.