PCB distances itself from Butt's jibe at 'Big Three'

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved quickly on Tuesday to distance itself from a “sons of pigs” reference to India, England and Australia made by former chairman Ijaz Butt.

Butt, head of the PCB between 2008-11, made the comment as he came out of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after a meeting with current chairman Najam Sethi to discuss the structural changes at the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruling body.

Pakistan abstained from voting in favour of the changes at an ICC meeting in Singapore earlier this month, and has opposed the reforms which effectively hand control of world cricket to India, Australia and England.

Asked on live television what he thought about the 'Big Three' boards, Butt said: “Listen don't quote me but in my personal opinion all three are sons of pigs”.

A PCB official reacted speedily to Butt's remark by saying: “It's his opinion not the board's. We have no more comment to make”.

Butt added that Pakistan now needed to safeguard their own interests in world cricket.

“Every board is looking after its own interests and that is what we also must do,” he said.

Sethi has been meeting former heads of the PCB on the 'Big Three' issue after taking over as chairman last week. He has made it clear that Pakistan will be reviewing their stance on the ICC changes.

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Vamshi

Feb 19, 2014 03:53am

Pakistan officials and players need to learn diplomacy. Jumping into conclusion without understanding the changes and pointing fingers on others should be refrained. Keeping your emotions under control, absorbing pressure, being honest and making smart moves is the order of the day. Hopefully this will soon dawn upon PCB. However I should admit that Misbah and Younis Khan are exception to this...these two are quite diplomatic and decent individuals.

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Prabir

Feb 19, 2014 12:20pm

Once again Pakistan placed itself on the wrong side of the history. Out of 10 Boards, 9 Boards supported the new so called "draconian laws". Where are those people who were suggesting PCB to leave ICC and form a separate body ? Earlier SA was blamed for cheating PCB. Now blame SL too. Who knows may be whole world is conspiring against PCB?

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Shazia Bangash

Feb 19, 2014 02:09pm

How much are the high-ups going to make for accepting the scraps thrown at them by the Big 3? And how much is a certain Pakistani sports channel going to make when bowing before the big 3 leads to a couple of Pakistani players in the next IPL and exclusive broadcasting rights for the IPL in Pakistan for the same private sports channel? The entire cricketing community is currently considering the PCB as heros - the only ones who stood up for what is right and did not sell their souls and the soul of cricket for cash.

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Faisal

Feb 19, 2014 03:32pm

@Prabir: we all know why each of the board supported India. At-least Pakistan has stood up-to to the big three till now, which is really a pleasant change and a bit strange, given how we have always been the first to go with the bully's. After all this is not the India of Gandhi who preached justice and equality. This is the India of IPL where only money talks. Sooner or later we may have to follow suit but till then fingers crossed!

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Aimen

Feb 19, 2014 04:06pm

@Prabir: Please, keep your comments to yourself!for the first time, PCB has taken the RIGHT stand and we fully support it!And you should look at your own history first!in the 1980's BOTH PCB n BCCI fought against the imperialism of the ECB N ACB.So your BCCI was wrong at that time then?It's good to have nationalism, but if BCCI does something wrong, you should criticize your board too!this ICC REVAMP was passed on financial beef but it will be detrimental for world cricket.Any true cricket fan can see this!

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Feb 19, 2014 04:40pm

Prabir: it is not about conspiring against PCB. Have you read the stance of SLCB chief ? They said, 'all those people who talk about principles, principles dont get you the money, we need money'. We are standing up for principles. Naturally, as an Indian, you will support your board which for the last 10-15 years in history has made good money. But this contribution does not make India, England or Australia the owners of the game - AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM. Have you seen how convniently quite the media in India, England and Australia is about Dhoni's & Co spot fixing ?? Where is the transparency gone ? I say the Big 3 have done their job by proctecting 'their interest' here.

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optimist

Feb 19, 2014 10:34pm

PCB ex-chairman should not have made that remark. It is unfortunate that a high official have that feeling towards the other ICC members. It weakens Pakistan position with other members and Pakistan will be on the defensive in future meetings at ICC. Having said that, ICC as a cricketing body, cease to exist after the takeover by the big three. India has negotiated with SA, Bangladesh and Sri-Lanka to get them to support the takeover by the big three. Pakistan is already isolated and the big three and especially India will make an example out of Pakistan. If Pakistan has any self-pride they should refuse to play against those countries that refuse to play with Pakistan on their home soil or neutral venues. Pakistan should even refuse to play against those countries on their home soil even if it is an ICC event. Pakistan should withdraw from Asia Cup. Pakistan should also refuse to play against India in the t-20 WC in bangladesh and the 2015 WC in Australia & Newzeland. Sports should be perfomance based and not politically motivated.

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Prakash

Feb 20, 2014 08:17am

@Oz:As per the Probe committee Chief interview on NDTV -unsubstantiated allegation has been made against some players,which needs further investigation and Dhoni & Co has not been named as yet-so it is over enthusiastic media particularly in Pakistan which is doing this media trial.

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John

Feb 20, 2014 09:20pm

Now we know why he was never taken seriously by the boards of other countries. He was and will be an asset to PCB.

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