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Karachi, Oct 18: The six players' revolt against team coach Javed Miandad was defused with chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Lt Gen Tauqir Zia denying any pay dispute but admitting cricketing differences.

"There is absolutely no dispute over cash. But yes, there are some differences over cricketing matters. That's understandable because the team is like a family and sometimes problems do erupt when you are together for such a long time," the general said on Wednesday evening at the National Stadium.

Earlier in the day, six players, including skipper Moin Khan, vice-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Mushtaq Ahmad had a lengthy meeting with the chairman. When the players emerged from the board room after the deliberations, their chins were down and refused to talk to reporters.

Javed Miandad, didn't attend the players meeting with the PCB boss nor did he exchange a word with the six cricketers.

Although Miandad told reporters later that he didn't discuss the players revolt news with the chairman, insiders said he was questioned at length by Zia on telephone on Tuesday evening. "The PCB chief asked Miandad what were the problems and why the players were refusing to accept him as coach," the sources said while denying their knowledge as to what Miandad told the general in his defence.

Nevertheless, Miandad has a history of problems with the same set of players with the recent being 18 months back when he had to resign on the eve of the World Cup.

The general said the PCB hasn't decided yet if there would be coach's share in the prize money. "Even if we include, it is the decision of the PCB. The players can revolt against the board on this issue but why the coach.

"I have supported Miandad and will continue to support him because of his capabilities, potential and knowledge of the game. I will support the players only on the issues relating to their financial, security and individual problems," the general said.

The PCB chairman said "there is a general complain that Miandad doesn't give a pat on the back of the batsman who scores runs or pacifies someone who has been given a wrong decision. But these are small things and can be resolved without making them public," he added.

Zia said Waqar Younis complained over being ignored for the semi-final against New Zealand in the ICC Knockout tournament. "I also feel the same but I think it was the team management's decision.

"Javed Miandad has been appointed by me and he is the final authority over coaching matters," he said in a stern tone.

Asked if the issue was not serious, what took him nearly two hours to talk to the players in a closed door, he said: "The players were perplexed about PCB's request for a fresh inquiry into the defeats in two of the World Cup matches. The players also had some sponsorship problems for which the PCB is chiefly to be blamed for."

The general said he would protect his players fully saying he would not follow the instructions of the International Cricket Council (ICC) if it called for life bans on the six players censured and fined by the board on the recommendations of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

"The ICC is no body to tell the PCB that these six players cannot play. We will play them whenever we want. They will only be dropped on performance and nothing else.

"I am not trying to make confrontation with the ICC, but the fact is that these players are in our control. If we want them to play, they will play and will only get out on performance," the general said.

He said the request for World Cup probe was sent to President Rafiq Tarar long time back but was released recently. He said it was not necessary for the President to accept it.

He said Accountability Bureau had cleared the players after conducting an investigation into allegations that they deliberately played below-par to allow India and Bangladesh win the matches. "The President might say that the World Cup has been investigated and the outcome should be accepted as truth."

Zia said he has recommended Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum to probe the World Cup, arguing that the Judge would be able to wind up the inquiry quickly and swiftly since he had already done bulk of the work.

He said the PCB was not bound to submit the report on World Cup probe to the ICC. "But since the allegations have been levelled by Dr Ali Bacher on the information provided by Majid Khan, it might ask for it."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stepped in to request the Indian government to allow permission to its cricket team to tour Pakistan. Zia said he has been informed by Yawar Saeed, director of the PCB, from Nairobi that Malcolm Gray (chairman of the ICC) told him that he would make the request as soon as he returns to London.

The general said Yawar told him that Gray would be personally writing to the Indian government to honour international commitment. He said Gray was personally taking interest in India's visit later this winter for three Tests and five one-day internationals.

He said Yawar told him that Gray also tried to persuade the Indian delegations attending the ICC conference to press their government to keep sports and politics separate.

© Dawn