Intikhab gets new role in PCB

Former Test captain Intikhab Alam, recently removed as manager of the national cricket team, has now been appointed as PCB's new Director for international cricket operations.

Intikhab, who is also head of the game development at the national cricket academy, has replaced Zakir Khan. © AFP

Intikhab, who is also head of the game development at the national cricket academy, has replaced Zakir Khan.

Zakir has now been appointed as Director of domestic cricket operations as the serving domestic cricket head Sultan Rana is joining the Asian Cricket Council as manager event and operations.

"Sultan will join his new assignment from mid September after which Zakir will look after domestic cricket operations," a Board official said.

Intikhab, who served as coach and then manager of the Pakistan team since October 2008 when his close friend Ijaz Butt took over as PCB Chairman, also heads the PCB cricket committee and is a member of the Board's Governing Council.

"It is interesting that while the ICC Task team has recommended to the Board to not assign too many responsibilities to one person, Butt has again given a prime post to Intikhab," said former Test player Basit Ali.

Arif Abbasi, a former chief executive of the Board, was also critical of Alam's appointment insisting there was a need to properly distribute the key positions and start reposing faith in others and more qualified persons.

Intikhab has held nearly every key position in Pakistan cricket in the last three decades.

The former all-rounder said he was ready for the challenge of looking after international cricket operations.

"Obviously with no foreign team coming to Pakistan the main challenge for the Board is to pave the way for foreign teams to again start touring Pakistan," Intikhab said.