There are several reasons why Ijaz Butt should resign as the PCB chairman. Pakistan cricket team currently needs a strong man to lead it out of the crisis it is currently facing. There is a strong need to ensure not only discipline among the Pakistani players but also to foster an atmosphere of unity between them. The players must be taught and made to fight as a team for Pakistan.
1. Sacking of Afridi:
PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has taken a step that not only jeopardized Pakistan cricket but hurt the sentiments of million of Pakistanis by removing the nation’s favorite all-rounder Shahid Afridi from captaincy. His later steps further fueled public anger against him as he took a series of steps aimed at hurting the former skipper’s cricket including slapping a fine of Rs 4.5 million.
2. Old is not Gold:
In case of Ijaz Butt this seems very much true as at the age of 73, he is surely an unlikely candidate to lead Pakistan cricket out of its present troubles. He would surely be lacking the physical and mental strength needed for a person at such an important post.
3. Job not on merit:
There remains little doubt that more than merit, it was Butt’s political connections that got him the post of PCB Chairmanship. It is widely believed that a current political minister who happens to be his brother-in-law helped him get the post through his connections with the President.
4. Ijaz Butt disgraced the nation:
During Pakistan’s tour of England Butt made allegations against the English players alleging they took money to loose the third one-day match. Later after ECB threatened Butt with action he retracted his earlier statement and offered his regrets, thus disgracing the entire nation.
5. Hiring and Firing:
Ijaz Butt announced his intention to curb the expenses of PCB. But the steps he took were contrary to his claims. Most of the sacked employees were those with low salaries. On the hand those hired by him are drawing high salaries. And most of them happen to be Butt’s relatives and friends.
6. Demand of the people of Pakistan:
It has now become the demand of thousands of Pakistanis that Afridi be re-instated as the captain and PCB chief be terminated. Supporters of Shahid Afridi held a protest demonstration as far away as in London demanding return of the former captain to the Pakistan cricket team. Hundreds of fans participated in the protest. The protestors shouted slogans in favor of the all-rounder and demanded the PCB chief’s resignation.
7. Inability to work with others:
It has become evident with time that Butt lacks the temperament and accommodating behavior needed to ensure a smooth working relationship. When he took as the PCB Chief, Butt declared that he liked the Pakistan cricket team coach Geoff Lawson. But only a couple of days later he was sacked by Butt.
Next example is that of Javed Miandad. He elevated Miandad to the rank of PCB’s Director-General. Weeks later Miandad left the job accusing Butt of being reluctant to share power.
Recently Butt has entered into a conflict with the Pakistan Coach Waqar Younis and former Captain Shahid Afridi.
8. Zero tolerance for opposition:
Ijaz Butt undoubtedly can not tolerate any sort of opposition or criticism. Butt has failed to honor his promise of keeping the business of PCB transparent. He is unable to digest any criticism as is evident from his various press conferences and reported behavior.
9. Poor communication skills:
The team needs a man with strong and excellent communication skills to be able to fight Pakistan’s case at the international level. Unfortunately, Ijaz Butt with his poor communication skills is not capable of completing this task. This leaves the team vulnerable to attacks by its opponents.
10. 2009 attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team:
Ijaz Butt was severely criticized for failure to provide security to the Sri Lankan Cricket team. As a result of the attack, Pakistan was stripped of the rights to host world cup matches. Pakistan also had to turn to neutral venues as other nations refused to tour Pakistan. This failure has severely hurt Pakistan cricket.
