Musharraf rejects Ashraf resignation

Pakistan8217;s president on Friday rejected the resignation of the chairman of the country8217;s cricket board, Naseem Ashraf, a spokesman said. Ashraf had submitted his resignation to President Gen Pervez Musharraf, who is also the patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board, after the national team8217;s failure at the World Cup, following a shock defeat against Ireland.

On Friday, board spokesman Aamir Bilal said Musharraf had asked Ashraf 8220;to continue his duties to rebuild Pakistan8217;s cricket team on modern and professional lines.8221;

In a statement, Bilal also quoted Ashraf as saying he would do his best for the development and promotion of cricket in Pakistan. Ashraf, the team8217;s captain Inzamam-ul Haq and other team members have been assailed by critics at home, who had been hoping for a repeat of Pakistan8217;s World Cup triumph. Instead they failed to advance beyond the preliminary group stage of the tournament now underway in the West Indies. Inzamam has since retired from one-day cricket.