Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf stepped down Monday after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation.

Ashraf decided to resign as PCB chief following a meeting of senior Board officials Monday. Ashraf, who was handpicked by Musharraf to become the PCB chairman in September 2006, had just returned home from a personal trip of the United States. As president, Musharraf was also patron of the cricket board .

Musharraf - facing a possible impeachment from the parliament, announced his resignation in a televised address to the nation Monday afternoon.

Ashraf, who was a US-based doctor before his appointment as the PCB chairman, took over the reins of Pakistan cricket at a turbulent period, just days after Pakistan became the first Test-playing nation to forfeit a Test, against England at The Oval.

The high point of Ashraf's stint was Pakistan's good showing in the inaugural World Twenty20 Championship in South Africa where they played in the final against old rivals India.

Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy next month, which also involves defending champion Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Agencies

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