LAHORE: The new Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf on Monday hosted a farewell reception for former PCB chief Ijaz Butt at the National Cricket Academy.

Senior PCB management gathered to felicitate Ijaz who completed his 3-year tenure as chairman on Oct 8.

The farewell ceremony commenced with the signing of a formal handing over from Ijaz Butt to new chairman Zaka Ashraf.

In his speech on the occasion, outgoing chairman Ijaz said: “I would like to thank the President of Pakistan and Patron-in-Chief of the PCB Asif Ali Zardari for his support throughout my term. I am sure that my friend and successor Zaka Ashraf will receive the same support.”

Later, Zaka Ashraf thanked Ijaz for his contribution to Pakistan cricket. “I am grateful to Ijaz Butt for his valuable contribution to Pakistan cricket.

“He has done an excellent job despite facing many challenges and I wish to pay tribute to his services for the game.”

“We have a huge challenge in front of us.

“We have to work very hard to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and have to remove the negativity created due to the spot fixing trial and move forward.”

In the end, Ijaz Butt was presented a shield and a souvenir.—Agencies