LAHORE, Sept 13: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M. Khan denied on Wednesday that replacing Zaheer Abbas as manager for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy had anything to do with his irresponsible conduct during the Oval Test saga.

Talking to mediamen after signing a sponsorship deal with a cellular company, the PCB chief said Zaheer was not removed because he was at fault at any stage in the Oval Test disaster but for other reasons.

"The PCB did not sack Zaheer over his performance, but in fact he is to appear in the ICC hearing in London and his presence may also be required if Pakistan appeals against the ICC decision later in the month. PCB wants to give Zaheer ample time to prepare himself for this procedure," the chairman clarified.

Zaheer, a former Test captain, was on Tuesday replaced by ex-Test opener Talat Ali as manager for the Oct-Nov ICC Champions Trophy.

The prolific batsman, who was dubbed as Asian Bradman during his playing days, was widely criticised for his ‘casual approach’ during the infamous Oval row which saw Pakistan forfeiting the fourth Test to hosts England.

The experts blamed the team management and the PCB for their unprofessional approach in the incident which may now result in a four-Test or eight-One-day International ban on Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq who will be appearing for an ICC hearing in London on Sept 27 and 28.

Shaharyar denied making any statement to the effect that ICC would acquit Inzamam in the hearing but said he believed that the Pakistan captain would get justice from the governing body.

He said that Talat Ali was the best choice for the post of manager and he hoped the former Test opener would deliver as he had a vast experience of man-management and as former ICC match referee.

Shaharyar expressed dissatisfaction over Pakistan team’s performance in England and said he was really concerned about the opening pair problem and the deteriorating standard of fielding.

"We are, indeed, struggling to find a reliable opening pair but now we have decided to stop further experimentation and will just stick with three openers — Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat — to bring some consistency to this department. Steps will also be taken to improve the fielding department," he said.

Acknowledging that Pakistan had some fine players in the lower-order batting in Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal PCB chief regretted that they could not put up a consistent show in England.

Shaharyar admitted that PCB was regretting the move to allow fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to play county cricket before the start of the England tour.

"The PCB may not give such permission in future, specially to fast bowlers. Their (Asif and Rana Naved’s) non-availability for the Test series was a great loss to the team," he said.

In the end, he denied all reports about any possible change in the PCB set-up.