Miandad returns to PCB more powerful, better paid

Former captain Javed Miandad has not just managed a triumphant return to the Pakistan Cricket Board on his own terms but has also got the salary package he had asked for initially.

Sources close to the former batsman and in the Sports Ministry said that Miandad's return to the board was felicitated by the Chairman of Senate Farooq Naek, an important figure in the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and also the head of the constitution committee entrusted with the task of making the board into a more democratic institution.

"The position now is that Miandad is back with nearly the powers he had asked for with the additional portfolio of advisor to the board Chairman and with a salary package which is higher then any else's in the board," one source said.

Miandad had resigned as PCB's Director-General (Cricket) in February after refusing to accept the contract letter issued to him by the board. The former great was neither happy with the authority delegated to him nor with the package offered to him.

But sources say the scenario has changed now and Miandad has got a Rs 1 million per month package which is higher then the Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf.

"There is no doubt Miandad has returned on his own terms and in a stronger role," one source said. He said it was also clear that there was pressure on PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt to bring back Miandad from the government quarters.

"Clearly Butt had to change his mind about bringing back Miandad although just few days back he had made it clear there was no possibility of any reconciliation between the board and Miandad.

"It is obvious Miandad has got his way as President Asif Zardari was also very happy with the results of his recent visit to China as cricket ambassador," the source said.

He said Miandad was working on a special project for promoting cricket in China with the approval of the President Zardari who is also chief patron of the cricket board.