Shaharyar steps down

Shaharyar Khan has resigned as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Khan's decision follows the refusal of Younis Khan to stand in as captain for Inzamam-ul-Haq, who received a four-match ban after the Oval affair.

Shaharyar Khan

Dr Naseem Ashraf, a government adviser and member of the board's ad-hoc committee, is tipped to take over.

"Yes, I am hurt because of the recent events like the Oval Test and Younis Khan fiascos," said Khan, a former Pakistan foreign secretary. "I thought this is the right time to step down and pass the responsibility to someone else. The Younis Khan episode has hurt me more than the Oval fiasco."

Khan, a lifelong diplomat and Cambridge University graduate, took over in 2003 against a backdrop of allegations of nepotism and kickbacks during the tenure of his predecessor, retired general Tauqir Zia.

The 72-year-old is the nephew and cousin of the two Nawabs of Pataudi, who both played Test cricket for India and captained the national team.

There were unconfirmed reports that three or four players were not willing to play under Younis Khan as captain

He has overseen a period of unprecedented stability in Pakistan cricket but the situation has become volatile in recent weeks.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer paid a glowing tribute to Khan, the man who appointed him.

"He's done a wonderful job for Pakistan. Without any argument, he is the best chairman that I have worked with in my 20 years as a coach," Woolmer told Cricinfo.

"I think he handled the Inzamam affair and the Younis affair brilliantly and it is very sad to lose such a fantastic and wise counsel.

"I think he thought that he didn't need this sort of aggravation at this stage in his life and that is fair enough. He is a great loss to Pakistan cricket."

Woolmer hit back at talk that unstable times lie ahead.

"Good things are happening in Pakistan cricket despite recent events - any talk of a change in captaincy is pure speculation," he said.

Younis had been expected to deputise for Inzamam but told a news conference he refused to be a "dummy captain".

Meanwhile, Inzamam's refusal to take his players back on to the pitch during the fourth Test against England at The Oval, after they were docked five runs for ball-tampering, led to Pakistan forfeiting the match. - BBC

Tragi-comedy takes another turn Younis Khan has been dramatically re-instated as Pakistan's cricket captain just two days after asking not to be considered for the role. Younis Khan was reappointed as Pakistan cricket captain Saturday, October 7, 2006, just hours before the squad's departure to India for the ICC Champions Trophy. The move came a day after the resignation of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan. (AP Photo/Pakistan Cricket Board, FILE) The news comes some 15 hours after the resignation of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan. Ashraf then told reporters that Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan's captain for two days, would now be vice-captain. The team flew to India yesterday to take part in the ICC Champions Trophy without regular captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. He was banned for four one-day internationals, ruling him out of the tournament, which led to Pakistan's search for a replacement skipper. Younis, Pakistan's regular deputy, had been expected to take on the role. But on Thursday he said he refused to be a "dummy captain". Ashraf said: "Younis has agreed to lead the side again after I spoke to him and explained things to him." He also said Sussex hero Mushtaq Ahmed had been released as assistant coach, explaining there was "no need" for the role.