All is not hunky dory in Pakistan cricket, with fresh controversy in the offing as some senior players led by Shahid Afridi is set to meet PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf over the elevation of opener Salman Butt in the vice-captaincy post.
According to reports some senior members of the Pakistan team were demanding the induction of a senior player as Shoaib Malik’s deputy.

Disgruntled six
The report said a group of six players will travel from Abbottabad to meet the PCB chief in Islamabad to express their viewpoint against the decision to select Salman Butt for the post.
“They have also complained about the PCB officials, especially Director Cricket Operations Zakir Khan, for the unnecessary interference in the players’ affairs,” the report added.
In a major revamping step after the World Cup debacle, the PCB appointed Butt as the vice-captain in place of pacer Mohammad Asif.
The members also complained about team manager Talat Ali, claiming that he had unnecessarily created a controversy when he asked Afridi to vacate the seat of vice-captain in the coaster while they were returning from to the team hotel from the training camp.
In fact, the southpaw, voluntarily vacated the seat for Afridi, regarding him as the senior player.
However, later Afridi and Talat exchanged ‘war of words’, the ‘Dawn’ reported.

Tense times
The environment in the dressing room was so vitiated that PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Shafqat Naghmi had to visited the camp on Thursday before leaving for London soon after hearing about the unrest among the players.
The COO tried to sort out the differences between the players, but could not achieve the desired results.

Ashraf bats for Butt
Meanwhile PCB Chairman Naseem Ashraf defended opener Salman Butt’s elevation to vice captaincy following reports of discontent among the players in the team.
“We have appointed them (Malik and Butt) on a long-term basis since we feel they are young and have a future ahead of them.
“Secondly, they can also play in both forms of the game which is a must for us in our future plans,” Ashraf said.
“Butt is a sensible chap and has a good future ahead of him,” he added.
He said appointing Shoaib Malik as captain and Butt as his deputy till end of December was an extension of the old policy of the Board.
“The long term appointments will give them a sense of security and allow them to concentrate on their game.”