LAHORE, Nov 5: In a contrasting development following the astonishing statement issued by former Test captain Salim Malik over the high-profile National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaching job, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday refuted a news report saying that it had offered the post to him.

The PCB, however, indicated that clearance was being sought from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the former batsman.

“The controversial news report about Malik’s appointment as chief coach at the NCA on Tuesday has created confusion, but the PCB wishes to clarify that no such decision has been made yet,” PCB Director Cricket Operations, Zakir Khan told reporters on Wednesday.

Malik, who was exonerated recently by a civil court, which ended a life ban imposed on him and a cash penalty of Rs one million had disclosed to the media on Tuesday that the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt had offered him the post of NCA chief coach. However, his (Malik’s) claim was not confirmed by the PCB.

It seems the ICC has taken notice of the media report and asked the PCB to first send a copy of the court decision [on Malik] to review the case.

Responding to a question whether the PCB would take the ICC into confidence about Malik and if there was any likelihood of Malik being appointed, Zakir said the PCB was in contact with the game’s governing body, but added that he was not in a position to make any further comment in this regard.

“I am negotiating with the ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat over the same issue to clear the PCB position,” he said.

To another question Zakir said former Pakistan Test captain and gloveman Rashid Latif, as NCA wicket-keeping coach, had tendered his resignation in haste, in the wake of the news report regarding Malik’s controversial statement.

“Rashid should have consulted the PCB to confirm if a post had been offered to Malik or not before giving the resignation,” the PCB official said.

Meanwhile, Malik met the PCB chief at his office here to clear his position over the issue.

Agencies add: Zakir stated that only informal talk was held with Malik.

“It is all a misunderstanding. No offer was ever made to Malik to be head coach at the academy,” Zakir said.

“Some general and informal discussions were held on the issue with Malik and nothing more.”

Meanwhile, Tafazzul Rizvi, PCB legal adviser, claimed the board authorities had made a mistake over Malik eight years ago.

“In 2000 the cricket board did a mistake by implementing the recommendations of Justice Malik Qayyum’s report,” Tafazzul said. “The board should have had referred Qayyum’s report to the federal government for proper action.”

Tafazzul expressed that the Qayyum report’s findings, in which several other Pakistani players including former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed were also fined, still stands.

“It’s a complicated issue and I don’t know who will now pursue the findings of Qayyum’s report, maybe the ICC,” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Rashid, in a letter, has quit in protest as wicket-keeping coach of the NCA after the news about Malik’s appointment as head coach of the academy.

“It is indeed shocking for me to know that former Pakistan captain Salim Malik has been appointed as the head coach of the PCB national academy,” Rashid wrote in his resignation letter sent to the board.

“Since I was the main figure in the match-fixing inquiry after which Mr Malik was awarded a life ban which was overturned last month therefore I have no other choice but to step down as the wicket-keeping coach,” Rashid added. “Please consider this letter as my resignation.”

Prior to the PCB clarification on Malik, the ICC said it will ask Pakistan to justify its appointment of Malik.

“We will write a ‘please explain’ letter to the PCB after hearing media reports that Malik has been given a senior responsibility in the cricket set-up,” an ICC spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.