PCB denies move to replace Rameez Raja

Shahryar Khan clears the air © AFP

Rameez Raja can rest easy. Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has said that the board had no immediate plans to change its chief executive. Media reports led to speculation that Abu Shamim Arif, a former bureaucrat, was set to replace Rameez. However, The News reports that a statement issued by the chairman's office had cleared the air. "The PCB emphatically denies reports that refer to imminent changes in the PCB hierarchy," it said. "The Board also denies speculations of differences between the Chairman and chief executive."

This comes in the wake of speculation that suggested that Shaharyar was unhappy with the fact that Rameez continued to do television commentary despite being the chief executive of the board. "The Chairman himself wanted to have the situation cleared after several reports on this issue," said the report.

These statements come just ahead of a scheduled hearing before the senate working committee for sports and culture. Shaharyar, Rameez and Wasim Bari, the chief selector, will appear before the committee to explain the reasons for Pakistan's recent series loss against India. But, the chairman's office was quick to add that this was a routine exercise. "This also happened after the 2003 World Cup. It is a routine exercise to which the board gives lot of importance."

Meanwhile, it was also announced that the PCB would soon make the budget statement for the Indian tour public. It will also advertise for certain executive posts within the board.