PCB Chief warns players against row over money

Zia was reacting to press reports that a row had surfaced between coach Javed Miandad and senior players over money awarded in a logo deal.

"I don’t see any truth in such reports because I have categorically conveyed to the players that if they have any problem against anyone they should come to me," he said.

Reports said senior players objected to coach Miandad’s share of more than 28,000 dollars in a kit logo deal worth 1.3 million dollars.

Players and coach get 80 percent of the share from the deal while the rest goes in Pakistan Cricket Board’s coffers.

"I treat these players like my kids and am trying for their individual sponsorships as well, if they keep doing such things they will not get any money," Zia said.

Miandad’s first stint as coach ended abruptly amid differences with players in 1999. Last year seven senior players reportedly protested over Miandad’s prize money share in the International Cricket Council’s knock out tournament, a day before England arrived in Pakistan last October. PCB chairman intervened to douse the situation temporarily.

"When such reports came last time I called all senior players and they said they had no problems over the sharing of money," Zia said.

Two selectors Ehteshamuddin and Iqbal Qasim reportedly objected to Miandad’s interference in selection and threatened a walkout. Both were replaced after Pakistan lost 1-0 to England last year.

PCB chairman appointed Miandad as coach until the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.