New PCB chief hosts farewell bash for predecessor Butt

In what can be seen as a positive trend in Pakistan cricket, the new chairman of the board, Zaka Ashraf on Monday hosted a farewell bash for his predecessor, Ijaz Butt.

Zaka praised Butt's contribution to Pakistan cricket during his tenure as chairman from 2008 to 2011.

"I am grateful to Ijaz Butt for his valuable contribution to Pakistan Cricket. He has done an excellent job despite facing many challenges and I pay tribute to his services to the game," Zaka said during the function.

"We have a huge challenge in front of us and I will need your (Butt's) support so that we can work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket," he added.

Zaka admitted that his biggest challenge would be to bring back international cricket to the strife-torm country.

"We have to remove the negativity created because of the spot-fixing trial and move forward," he added.

The new PCB chief insisted that he would never allow any spot-fixing scandal to ever hit Pakistan cricket during his tenure.

In another first in Pakistan cricket, outgoing chairman Butt officially handed over the charge of cricket affairs to Zaka.

Butt, who drew lot of flak from the media and former players and officials during his tenure, said that he would like to the President of Pakistan and PCB's patron-in-chief, Asif Ali Zardari for his support throughout his term.

"I am sure that my friend and successor Zaka Ashraf will receive the same support. I would like to thank the PCB management and staff for diligently performing their duties in tough time," he said.

The new chairman Zaka also presented Butt with a shield and a souvenir on behalf of the board in recognition of his services to Pakistan cricket.