Dasti trying to destroy Pak cricket: Butt

Karachi:

The war of words between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the National Assembly's Standing committee on sports has intensified with PCB chief Ejaz Butt saying that committee chairman Jamshed Dasti was trying to destroy cricket in the country.

"I would ask the chief patron, President Asif Zardari to take notice of the negative role Jamshed Dasti is playing in trying to damage Pakistan cricket," Butt told 'Express' news channel from Dhaka.

The fresh row between the two has broken out after Dasti used some disparaging language against Butt after a hearing of the committee yesterday in which the PCB chief was not present.

Dasti said the committee had recommended to Zardari that Butt be removed immediately. He also described Butt as mentally and physically unfit to head the board.

"If I had my way Butt would be in jail," Dasti told the media while describing the PCB as the hub of corruption. Butt retorted by saying that Dasti's comments were unparliamentary.

"We are always ready to answer any parliamentary committee but I have to say this it is unreasonable for them to expect us to be ready to attend any meeting or hearing at short notice," Butt said.

"He has already forced one of our most valuable players, Younus Khan to stop playing for the national team because of his irresponsible match fixing allegations made against the team last year after the Champions Trophy," Butt recalled.

"Younus and other players suffered a lot of mental anguish because of his remarks. Younus is still not in a proper state of mind to play to his full ability and strength which is most unfortunate and a big loss to Pakistan cricket," he added.

Dasti later in another interview reiterated his remarks against Butt and maintained he was not fit to lead the board.

"Our sub-committee has given a detailed report about the mismanagement, financial irregularities prevalent in this board and we have sent the report to the President and Prime Minister for further action," Dasti said.