Angry PCB asks ICC to take action against Speed

Karachi:

Angry over Malcom Speed's derogatory remark against the Cricket Board and its chairman on the John Howard issue, the PCB has sent a strong worded letter to new ICC president Sharad Pawar, asking him to take action against the former chief executive of the game's governing body.

Speed lashed out at the Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket boards earlier in the week after the two countries joint hands with India, Sri Lanka and South Africa to reject former Australian Prime Minister Howard's nomination for the post of ICC vice-President.

Speed described PCB chairman Ejaz Butt as a "buffoon" and said Pakistan and Bangladesh were politicised cricket bodies.

PCB sources said that Speed's remark did not go well with Butt, who ordered chief operating officer Wasim Bari to shot off a letter to Pawar, asking him to initiate action against the former ICC CEO.

"His outburst against the chairman of an ICC full-member country speaks volumes of his hatred against ICC member countries not towing his line. It also shows his bias against the Asian and coloured countries. The PCB would request for action against the former ICC chief executive for using derogatory remarks against Ejaz Butt," the letter read.

In the letter, sent to Pawar yesterday, PCB said the game of cricket would earn bad repute if a free-hand was given to former ICC officials to issue such derogatory remarks.

"It is a test case for Sharad Pawar as he has just taken over and the fact remains that Speed is no longer an ICC official and free to air his views on any issue," another PCB source said.

Sources said PCB legal team had also been directed to look into the possibility of suing Speed for defaming Butt and the board.