Bari appointed PCB chief operating officer

Wasim Bari has been appointed chief operating officer of the PCB. Bari, who kept wickets in 81 Tests for Pakistan, had been named acting COO last week after Salim Altaf was sacked from the post. It is believed that Altaf developed differences with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt over administration matters.

Bari said he was looking forward to the challenge of being the COO in a troubled time for Pakistan's cricket. Pakistan's future as an international cricketing venue is under threat after a terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in March. Security fears have forced the ICC to shift the Champions Trophy out of Pakistan, and also strip the country of 2011 World Cup hosting rights.

"Pakistan cricket has suffered badly, but we are trying our level best to lift it and we will do it with the best of efforts," Bari told AFP. "This new post is a great challenge for me. I will do my best to work for the promotion of the game in Pakistan. I like working together and with consensus, that is my principle."

Bari, 61, had also been the interim national chief selector in June after Abdul Qadir quit barely six months after taking over the role.