Ijaz Butt of Pakistan dies

The Pakistan Cricket Board has mourned the death of Ijaz Butt, a former Test cricketer who also led the PCB between 2008 and 2011.

Butt was 85 years old and died on Wednesday.

Before becoming a manager, Butt, who was born in Sialkot in 1938, played eight Tests for Pakistan as a wicketkeeper batsman between 1959 and 1962.

He made 279 runs in eight matches with a fifty to his name.

Mourning Butt’s death, PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf said: “On behalf of PCB, I want to express my deepest condolences on the sad passing of Mr. Ijaz Butt.”

“I had the privilege of knowing him personally and I have nothing but the greatest respect for Mr. Butt.”

“I offer my condolences to Ijaz Butt’s family and friends and assure them that he will always be remembered for the contributions he made to Pakistani cricket.” By the way, it was Ashraf who replaced Butt as head of PCB in 2011.

During his eventful tenure, Butt oversaw some momentous moments in Pakistani cricket. He was appointed director of the PCB in 2008 by the then President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari.

The point-fixing scandal broke during Butt’s tenure and saw three Pakistani players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, banned.

However, for Pakistan to win the 2009 T20 World Cup, which was held in England, was a shining moment during Butt’s reign.