Enlarge imageKARACHI (Reuters) - The Pakistan Cricket Board is drawing up a new code of conduct to stop players on central contracts speaking to the media without approval, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt told Reuters Wednesday.
He said the revised code is aimed at curbing controversies and players would have to sign it before the next one-day series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from November 3.
"We have a code of conduct in the existing contracts but it has loopholes and is not spelt out clearly. The new code will be stricter and carry more penalties," he said.
"The idea of the new code is to stop players from speaking on team and cricket matters that have negative effects and create controversies," Butt added.
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He said only the captain, coach and manager would now be allowed to speak to the media without first seeking approval.
Any player wanting to give an interview or statement or make a television appearance would have to ask for prior clearance from the PCB and give details of what he intended to say.
Pakistan cricket was rocked last week when Younus Khan quit as captain to protest against statements from the chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on sports following the team's return from the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
Jamshed Dasti claimed Pakistan had underperformed in the tournament after they lost in the semi-finals to New Zealand, although he later said his remarks had been misunderstood.
The PCB chief rejected Younus's resignation this week and said he would continue until the next World Cup in 2011.
To complicate matters statements from members of the Pakistan team gave the impression they had issues with Younus, which caused him to submit his resignation to the board.
"We have seen a spate of statements from some players which were not needed and only caused problems," Butt said.
He added penalties would be spelt out clearly in the new code, which players would be advised not to violate. The board is due to award new central contracts at the end of the year.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
