President General Pervez Musharraf has not accepted the resignation of Lt Gen Tauqir Zia and has asked him to continue as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Lt Gen Tauqir had tendered his resignation immediately after Pakistan lost the second cricket Test against Australia at Sharjah on Saturday.

The President, who returned Tuesday morning from Turkey after attending the ECO meeting, held discussions with the PCB Chairman at the Army House, Rawalpindi, and expressed complete confidence in Lt Gen Tauqir Zia. General Musharraf told Lt Gen Tauqir Zia that he was the right man to guide Pakistan cricket through the current crisis.

The President, in the meeting, appreciated that the present team comprised many youngsters who were talented but required proper motivation and guidance to perform at their peak.

General Pervez Musharraf, though disappointed with Pakistan team's performance in the second Test against Australia at Sharjah, hoped that it would recover from this shock defeat and would show its true mettle in the third Test.

He wished Lt Gen Tauqir Zia and the Pakistan team well for the future series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the World Cup next year.

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, in a statement, said he was thankful to President General Musharraf for expressing confidence and trust in his abilities. "Now since the President has told me to continue, I can't refuse him. He has shown the confidence and faith in me and I would continue to work with full enthusiasm and vigour as I have been doing in the past."

The PCB Chairman defended his decision to tender his resignation, saying: "It was not a rash decision but a well-thought one. If the Pakistan team plunged to its worst defeat, then I think someone has to take the responsibility and, I being the chairman of the PCB, had to stand up and accept the blame."

Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said he would now sit down and analyze the problem areas and act accordingly. "That might also lead to the ouster of some people, if required. I would continue to support the youngsters because I am a big fan of their abilities. But at the same time, I would like to see the senior boys to show self-discipline and stand up to realize their responsibilities and pay back to the country."

The PCB Chairman thanked all his well-wishers who urged him to continue. "I received very encouraging and morale-boosting response from the cricket circle in Pakistan. Internationally, ICC President Malcolm Gray, Indian cricket board chief Jaghmohan Dalimya, next ICC President Ehsan Mani, CBFS President Abdulrehman Bukhatir, chief executive Zahid Noorani and the ACC President either called or wrote to me individually and urged me to carry on as the head of the office."

SAMIUL HASAN
GM Media
October 15, 2002

© PCB