Lt General Tauqir Zia, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has received a much needed vote of confidence in the midst of a crisis facing his country's cricket.

Zia has had his tenure as chief of the PCB extended by President Pervaz Musharraf.

"Tauqir has been told to stay on and look after cricket affairs for an indefinite period. He has also been told that if he wants to start rebuilding a new team for Pakistan he should go ahead without any qualms," said a PCB spokesman.

Although Zia had made it clear he would not resign after the disappointing World Cup campaign, there were fears that given the rising criticism against the board and the players he may be forced from the job.

President Musharraf has now backed Zia to take Pakistan on a new course and the spokesman added: "Another thing is that Musharraf, despite the criticism against the board, is well aware of the many other positive steps taken by Tauqir to reorganise Pakistan cricket on solid lines and professionally.

"The Patron has his own independent feedback from reliable sources on the performance of Tauqir and his level of commitment towards Pakistan cricket, after which he took the decision to extend his tenure and allow him to start a new chapter in Pakistan cricket."