KARACHI, 28 September 2003 — Scores of cricket fans staged a demonstration here yesterday to protest the exclusion of this southern port city from the itinerary for South Africa’s tour of Pakistan next week, witnesses said.

About 150 people held placards which read: “Karachiites are cricket crazy, not terrorists”, “We want Pakistan-South Africa match in Karachi” and “Don’t take away Karachi as international venue.”

“People in Karachi are passionate about the game of cricket and they feel hugely deprived not to see South Africa play here,” national parliament member Nawab Mirza said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to remove the city of 14 million from the itinerary after South Africa last week canceled the tour.

After intense negotiations with the PCB the South African government agreed to a shortened tour minus matches in Karachi and the northwestern Peshawar city near the Afghanistan border.

“This is injustice to the people of Karachi and we demand South African captain Greame Smith bring his team to the city,” said Karachi City Cricket Association president Muneer Hussain. “We would make sure they play here without any trouble.”

PCB to Pay Tributes to

Former Test Captain

In Islamabad, the Pakistan Cricket Board paid tribute to former Test captain Wasim Bari yesterday, awarding him the first One-Day International between Pakistan and South Africa as a benefit match.

“Bari is being honored for his meritorious services to the game of cricket and the country,” PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja said in a statement. “He is still one of the greatest ambassadors of the country.”

A certain percentage of the income from the first One-Day International at Lahore on Oct. 3 will be awarded to Bari as his benefit, Raja added.

Bari, a former Test wicketkeeper and captain of the national team, was initially awarded a Sept. 26 One-Day International against South Africa at Karachi. However, after the Proteas refused to play in Karachi and the itinerary was rescheduled.

Second Day’s Play Washed

Out in Kiwis Tour Game

In Visakhapatnam, India, rain prevented the start of play on the second day of New Zealand’s tour match against the Indian Board President’s eleven yesterday.

The tourists were also deprived of much-needed practice on Friday as only 10.2 overs were bowled on the rain-hit opening day.

The hosts are 23 for no loss in their first innings after electing to bat, with openers Virender Sehwag and Akash Chopra on nine runs apiece.