Pakistan cricket chief Naseem Ashraf has resigned after the country's shocking early exit from the World Cup, a newspaper report said on March 20.

"Yes, Naseem has sent his resignation," the leading English daily The News quoted an unnamed source close to Ashraf as saying.

"It was Ashraf's own decision as perhaps he finds it better to pack up and go down in history as a man who took responsibility of the shameful exit of Pakistan team from the World Cup."

The report could not be immediately confirmed.

"I can't say anything at the moment because I am trying to contact Naseem after reading the newspaper," Pakistan Cricket Board communications director Ahsan Malik told The Associated Press.

"I did talk to Ashraf yesterday but he didn't say anything about resigning," Malik said.

Pakistan's cricket program has been in crisis over the last three days since Ireland handed it a stunning three-wicket defeat in the World Cup Group D match on Saturday.

Host West Indies also beat Pakistan in the World Cup's opening game. With two successive defeats, Pakistan was ousted from the Super Eight stage of the mega event.

Coach Bob Woolmer died after less than 24 hours in the team's hotel in Jamaica, and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq announced his retirement from limited-overs games.

Pakistan will play its last group game against Zimbabwe at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Wednesday.