LAHORE Former Test cricketer Aamir Sohail on Monday tendered his resignation from the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) post of National Cricket Academy (NCA) and Game Development director due to what he termed personal reasons.
Aamir, who had made up his mind to resign last week, eventually admitted on Monday that he had tendered it.
'Yes, I have resigned as Director NCA and Game Development due to personal reasons and I'll not take it back if I am asked for it,' Aamir told reporters.
'I'll resume my [early profession of] cricket commentary and will not appear before the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Sports to plead my case,' he said.
'I tried my best to introduce a productive coaching programme in the NCA and I wish for good progress at the academy,' he added.
When contacted, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said he was unaware about Aamir's resignation. 'I was in the office till the lunch time and by that time there was no resignation from Aamir,' Ijaz said.
When told that Aamir had informed the media about his resignation, Ijaz stood his ground. 'I can't say on this topic until I receive it [resignation].'
Asked whether he was satisfied with Aamir's working, Ijaz categorically said 'No comment.'
Sources close to Aamir told the former Test opener had prepared a comprehensive programme related to the game and was waiting for its approval by the board.
After not getting the approval, Aamir decided to quit. After not getting the approval, the annual academies' session could not be held this year, neither at the regional nor at the national level.
The chairman had also not approved the NCA budget, which in the past was to the tune of Rs250 million.
Meanwhile, sources close to the PCB told Dawn the chairman was not happy with Aamir for not maintaining discipline at the NCA.
Sources further said as PCB Director Human Resources Wasim Bari was also using the NCA as his official residence, he did not play any role to clear Aamir's position before the chairman about the charge of not maintaining a disciplined atmosphere.
Sources said Aamir was not happy with Bari and had also informed the chairman that the room which he (Bari) was using at the NCA was executive one for which he had to pay Rs4,500 per day, but he was giving just Rs1,500 per day.
Sources said more PCB officials are likely to resign as they feel they are not being given due authority.
