Two months after resigning as Pakistan Cricket Board's Director-General, Javed Miandad on Monday returned to the post with more powers and the backing of PCB patron-in-chief and the country's President Asif Ali Zardari.
"I have been given a letter confirming me as Director-General and also special adviser to the Chairman, Ejaz Butt by the board today," Miandad told reporters at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
The former great had resigned as Director General (Cricket Affairs) in early February unhappy over the job responsibilities and authority given to him by Butt.
After a war of words between Miandad and the PCB officials, Butt had refused to reconsider Miandad for the post again insisting relations between the two had soured beyond repair.
"It is a big climb down for Butt and indicates that he has now been told by the government to put aside his ego problems," a source in the board told PTI.
Sources said Butt had upset Zardari who is an admirer of Miandad, and Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jillani had said on a TV show recently that he was upset at Butt for not reconsidering Miandad's case.
"This development shows that Butt is now under pressure to save his seat. The fact that Miandad has also been made special adviser to the Chairman means that Miandad will now effectively be more involved in all cricket matters," the source said.
Surprisingly, no one was aware whether Miandad had met Butt on Monday before the announcement of his comeback was made.
"The Chairman has still not come to the stadium. We don't know if any meeting is scheduled between the two today," a PCB spokesman said.
Miandad, who has played 124 Tests and thrice been coach of the national team, reiterated his commitment to working towards improving the structure and organisation of Pakistan cricket.
