Sarfraz, a perennially controversial figure in Pakistan cricket, had issued a statement two days ago in which he made stinging remarks on Rameez and Pakistan coach Javed Miandad.

The statement was given wide publicity by the leading newspapers. In his tirade against the two former Test captains who are also members of the the PCB, Sarfraz accused them of favouritism and nepotism and even corruption.

Sarfraz went to the extent of accusing Rameez of being involved in a ticket scam witnessed during the first one-dayer between England and Pakistan at Karachi on October 24.

Rameez hit back by filing defamation suits through the PCB lawyer Haider Asghar against the newspapers which carried the statement by Sarfraz.

However, he insisted that he had taken the action on a personal level and the board had nothing to do with the suits. "I am paying the legal costs even though the lawyer also serves the board," Rameez said.

Rameez said he would not tolerate character assassination and would not let go of Sarfraz easily.

"Who takes this man seriously? But I will not let him get away with mud-slinging on my character or background," Rameez said. The former skipper clarified that he was not against constructive criticism, but at the same time would not tolerate baseless accusations.

"If he says I was involved in any ticket scam, then he should prove it or else apologise publicly or pay up."

Rameez instead hit out at Sarfraz and said the reason behind such statements could be the fact that Miandad and he had resisted a move to include Sarfaraz on PCB advisory council.

Some influential people within the PCB were pressing for Sarfaraz's inclusion, but it is learnt that Rameez and Miandad resisted the move threatening to quit if Sarfaraz was inducted in.