PCBs decisions in the interest of our cricket: Ashraf

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Nasim Ashraf has rejected speculations that he is promoting his yes men, saying those who have any doubts over the boards decisions are wrong.

Karachi, Aug 9 : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Nasim Ashraf has rejected speculations that he is promoting his 'yes men,' saying those who have any doubts over the board's decisions are "wrong."

Ashraf said the current board is taking steps to ensure more professionalism in the national cricket set up, and its decisions are in the best interest of the game in the country.

"I am confident that all decisions taken by the Board, including the appointment of the captain and coach, were taken in the better interest of our cricket, and if people have any doubts, then I must say they are wrong," he told The News in an interview.

"My sole aim is to take Pakistan cricket where it belongs, at the very top, and all the efforts made by us, are fuelled by that desire," he said.

Ashraf went on to say that the appointment of Shoaib Malik as captain is the best thing that has happened to Pakistan cricket in quite a long time.

"My first choice for Pakistan captaincy after Inzamam-ul-Haq resigned was Younis Khan, but he turned down the offer which was why we opted for Shoaib Malik," said Ashraf.

He described Younis Khan as a "gem of a man," and said: "He (Younis) is a great batsman and the Pakistan team is incomplete without him," he added.

Critics have time and again questioned Ashraf's credentials, saying he is not the right man for the job. They also claim that he has been hiring hand-picked people for important PCB jobs.

"Nasim Ashraf doesn't want any heavyweights around him because he wants himself to be all powerful," said Senator Enver Baig, a member of the Senate's Standing Committee on Sports, and a known critic of Ashraf.

ANI