Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ijaz Butt, passed away on Thursday at the age of 85 in Lahore. His son, Arif Saeed, confirmed the sad news, stating that Butt had been unwell for an extended period.
Ijaz Butt served as the PCB chairman from 2008 to 2011, a period marked by numerous changes in the team management. During his tenure, the Pakistan cricket team achieved a significant milestone by winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2009.
The PCB expressed its grief over Butt’s demise in a brief statement on its official Twitter account. The board later issued a more detailed statement, acknowledging his contributions to cricket.
Born on March 10, 1938, in Sialkot, Ijaz Butt represented Pakistan in eight Test matches from 1959 to 1962. He was a talented wicketkeeper-batter and made his Test debut as an opener against West Indies in 1958-59, scoring an unbeaten 41 runs in a memorable 10-wicket victory.
Butt also played two Test matches against Australia, where he scored his only half-century during a match in Karachi in December 1959. In total, he amassed 279 runs in eight Tests with an average of 19.92. His cricketing career extended to 67 first-class matches, where he scored over 3,000 runs.
Zaka Ashraf, the PCB Management Committee Chairperson, expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the PCB. He highlighted that he had the privilege of knowing Ijaz Butt personally and held him in high regard for his contributions to Pakistan cricket. Ashraf assured Butt’s family and friends that he would always be remembered for his dedication to the sport.
The cricketing community mourns the loss of Ijaz Butt, remembering him not only as an accomplished cricketer but also as a cricket administrator who made significant contributions to the game. His passing leaves a void in the cricketing world, and his legacy will continue to inspire the future generations of cricketers in Pakistan.
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