Legend Miandad given key Pakistan cricket post: CNN

(CNN) -- Former national captain and coach Javed Miandad has been handed the task of reviving Pakistan's ailing cricket fortunes.

The 51-year-old was appointed director general by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday, and immediately outlined his goal to bring international matches back to the subcontinent nation following recent internal security problems.

"I will use my connections to convince teams to tour Pakistan and our cricket will be back to normal soon," he said. "My priority will be to restore the image of Pakistan cricket, which has been hit by controversies in the recent past."

This year's ICC Champions Trophy was scheduled to be played in Pakistan but it has been postponed after countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa refused to take part due to violence stemming from political turmoil and terrorist attacks.

The PCB is also embroiled in a row with star fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has received bans for breaching its code of conduct and also for taking banned drugs -- as has fellow paceman Mohammad Asif.

Miandad, whose third stint as Pakistan coach ended in controversy in 2004 after a home series loss to India, has since had an acrimonious relationship with the PCB.

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