Butt justifies Pak cricket coach being at mercy of captain, board

Lahore, Oct.23 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has said that the board has every right to sack the coach of the national squad if he is not liked by the captain and the highest governing body of the game in the country.

Interacting with mediapersons during a press conference here, Butt said he would be visiting India on October 28 to hold talks with the BCCI and government officials to facilitate a bilateral cricket series on a neutral venue.

When enquired about the uncertainty surrounding tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif's participation in the one-day series against New Zealand, he said the board was still working out details with the concerned authorities in Dubai to sort out the issue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is trying hard to help Asif obtain clearance from the Dubai authorities to enable him to play in the limited over series.

It has also approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ask the authorities to allow the troubled speedster to play in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the series starting November 3.

The series includes three one-day internationals in Abu Dhabi and two Twenty20 games in Dubai.

Asif was banned from entering the United States of Emirates (UAE) after he was detained for 19 days at the Dubai International Airport last year for possessing a banned substance.

The PCB had also slapped a fine of one million rupees on Asif for his Dubai 'misadventure'. (ANI)