The report further said he met with PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja on Tuesday and tendered his resignation then.

According to a report in Daily Pakistan, Khan resigned because he was unhappy to have his "powers curtailed."

Khan, who was Leicestershire's chief executive in the UK, was appointed CEO in 2018 on a three-year contract.

Writing about his move to PCB in 2018, Espn Cric Info wrote: "[Khan] is believed to be the only chief executive of BAME (black, Asian or minority ethnic) heritage at a professional sports club in the country and has long argued for greater ethnic inclusivity throughout the sport. At a time when English cricket is trying to reach out to Asian communities in particular, his departure leaves the game poorly represented."

Khan took over as PCB chairman after Ehsan Mani's retirement in August this year. He took over that responsibility in absence of a vice-chairman which meant that until a new chairman was appointed, the CEO would take charge.

Raja was appointed as PCB chairman earlier this month on Sept 13.

Social media was abuzz with news of Khan's resignation on Wednesday.

There were many theories floating on Twitter, none could be substantiated.

One journalist's tweet describing Khan's tenure as dark seemed to cause a lot of divisiveness.

Users said the journalist's tweet was unfair.

Others called Khan's departure a dark day.

According to Aaj, the governing board of the cricketing body would meet today to decide on his resignation.