PCB chairman defends Waqar's appointment as coach

Islamabad, Mar 8: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has defended Waqar Younis’ appointment as Pakistan coach despite allegations of match fixing against him.

Butt said that all those fined on the basis of Justice Malik Qayyum’s inquiry report ten years ago had been cleared for national duties now, and stressed the services of players like Waqar, Wasim Akram or Ijaz Ahmed were being utilised after clearance and recovery of fines.

“Ten years have passed since the Malik Qayyum report came out and they have paid their fines and the International Cricket Council (ICC) also has no objection to them being given responsibilities by the board,” The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

Some former players have criticised the board for appointing those players on key positions despite being named in the Qayyum match-fixing inquiry report.

Waqar, Wasim, Aaqib Javed, Saeed Anwar were among those who the Qayyum committee fined for not cooperating with the inquiry that lasted for some 18 months.

Butt further said that Waqar would be paid around Rs. 650,000 monthly salary besides other perks.

“We think that is a reasonable amount we are paying for his services since the former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was paid around Rs 1.7 million a month by the board,” Butt added.