PCB official resigns as turmoil continues

And then there were none: Zaheer Abbas, Shahrayar Khan and now Abbas Zaidi have all resigned since August © Getty Images Enlarge

The crisis gripping Pakistan cricket intensified on Monday with the resignation of the PCB's director of operations, Abbas Zaidi.

"Abbas Zaidi has resigned and we have accepted his resignation," Nasim Ashraf, the newly appointed PCB chief, told reporters after a meeting of the board in Lahore.

Zaidi's departure comes three days after the resignation of the former PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan, and two days after Mushtaq Ahmed was sacked as assistant coach for the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan cricket has been in the spotlight since August's Oval Test against England when the captain, Inzamam-ul Haq, refused to take his team back on the field after it was accused of ball-tampering.

Inzamam was acquitted of tampering but was handed a four-match ban for bringing the game into disrepute, and according to Zaheer Abbas, who was Pakistan's manager on the tour, he had "lost the confidence" of senior board officials.

Inzamam's replacement, Younis Khan, last week refused to lead the side, saying he did not want to be a "dummy" captain. The refusal prompted Khan to resign, although he was reinstated by Ashraf on Saturday, hours before the team's departure for India and the Champions Trophy.

Ashraf said that Inzamam would captain Pakistan against West Indies, who are set to tour in November and December for three Tests and five one-day internationals.

"Inzamam will lead Pakistan in the home series against West Indies," said Ashraf. "Younis was only appointed for the Champions Trophy."