RIYADH, 29 July 2005 — Disappointed cricket fans reiterated their concerns that management of future matches should be handled by the Saudis and not expatriates.

They said cancellation of the cricket Gold Cup series between Pakistan XI and Lashings World XI was a clear case of mismanagement on the part of organizers, who have announced the refund of tickets purchased for the one-dayers that were to be played in Riyadh and Jeddah.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, Al-Jawad Group, chief organizers of the series, said ticket holders should contact the company for refunds during the next four working days. While expressing its regrets, it pointed out that the company could not work out the fixtures due to differences.

Pakistan XI, led by skipper Inzamam ul-Haq, which came to the Kingdom in time for the series, had to return home in disappointment without playing any of the scheduled matches due to the “No show” of the other side. The team was to play two one-dayers in Jeddah and one in Riyadh with the Lashings World XI.

Former Pakistan cricket captain and team manager Rashid Latif, who accompanied the Pakistan team, said: “The other side kept away since the organizers failed to fulfill their requirements as per the agreement signed between the organizers and the Lashings World XI.

“It was not good for a world class team such as Pakistan to get into a mess created by the organizers with the other team.”

However, he thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board and Inzamam ul-Haq who were responsible for bringing the team to the Kingdom. “We did our part well,” he said.

A few minutes before his departure to Karachi, Inzamam said his team was disappointed that it could not play any matches in the Kingdom.

Ali Packeer, accountant at Absal Steel, who has been in the Kingdom for the past 20 years said the cancellation of the games dashed the hopes of the members of the Asian community which was eagerly waiting to witness a mega event in the Kingdom.

“I do not think that this event would have met this fate if it were organized by Saudis,” he added. “Saudi leadership is needed since problems, if any, could be sorted out with their goodwill and influence.”

“It was really sad to have allowed the players to go without displaying their skills before the cricket enthusiasts in the Kingdom,” Ahsan Raza of Saudi Electricity Company said, adding “The main reason for the flop was the whole operation became a business venture. He said events of this magnitude should be handled by Saudis who would work with a sense of fair play and dedication.”

Naser Ahmed, an Indian lawyer, who works for a private company here described the abandonment as disastrous since it has disappointed the cricket lovers and made the organizers to fritter away large sums of money for no purpose. “Players of international repute were here and it was sad that they could not play a single match,” he added.

Blaming the organizers for all the blunders, Ahmed asked: “Who would organize cricket matches during this thick summer when the entire expatriate community is out of the Kingdom for their vacation?” Proper vision and planning is necessary to organize such events, he added.