Musharraf snubs PCB chief

In an apparent attempt to convey his displeasure about the way cricket is being managed in Pakistan in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan series, President Pervez Musharraf reportedly snubbed PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan by declining to meet him on Saturday.

Khan, a former Foreign Secretary, who was appointed to the top post by Musharraf himself earlier this year, was reportedly kept waiting at the President's official residence in Rawalpindi before being told at the end of the day that the appointment had to be rescheduled for next week.

To scotch rumours, Khan himself said in a statement late evening that he would shortly meet Musharraf.

"I have requested for a meeting with President General Musharraf. I am hoping that the meeting will take place in the coming week," Khan said in the statement.

Khan, who lives in Karachi, said he had come to Islamabad to attend a seminar.

"On Monday, I will meet former diplomats and government officials before travelling to Lahore on Tuesday," he added.

The Pakistan media, however, described the delay in getting the appointment as a snub for Khan. A disappointed Khan later met Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and briefed him about the affairs of the PCB.

Khan wanted to meet Musharraf to get his approval to major decisions, including the future of Chief Executive Rameez Raja who, he said, should chose between his job as CEO and television commentator.

Raja, who was also appointed by Musharraf, wants to keep both jobs.

It appears that Musharraf was deeply upset over the way the Pakistan team lost against India in both the one-dayers and Test series and the subsequent controversy in which fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and other senior cricketers were asked to prove their injuries before a medical commission.