Butt won't step down as PCB chief

There were reports that the National Assembly’s standing committee on sports and Pakistan President and PCB chief patron Asif Zardari had asked Butt to resign.

However, Butt told espnstar.com that he had no intentions of resigning. “I have not been asked to resign. This is completely wrong. Some committee with no authority cannot ask me to put in my papers.

These rumours gained momentum because I went to meet the President. We had cordial discussions and there is no question of me stepping down as the PCB chief.”

Heads were expected to roll in the Pakistan cricket circuit after the team’s disastrous tour of Australia, being whitewashed in both the Test and ODI series.

The PCB had already said that Mohammad Yousuf would be replaced as captain by a younger player.

Indications are that Shahid Afridi will take over the mantle despite his ‘ball-gnawing’ act.

Butt had been criticised for his handling of Pakistan’s dismal performance Down Under and the Indian Premier League’s snub to the Pakistan players.

Former wicketkeeper Moin Khan had come down strongly on Butt, alleging mismanagement.

"The way Pakistan Cricket Board has taken decisions pertaining to the important issues and has promoted players' power, Butt is equally responsible. He should also show the moral courage and resign immediately."

Iqbal Qasim had already stepped down as Pakistan chief selector, citing moral responsibility for the national team’s ‘shameful’ performance against Australia.