KARACHI, 16 February 2004 — A three-member Indian security delegation wants its cricket team’s stay in Karachi and Peshawar curtailed, Pakistan’s top cricket official said yesterday.
“They expressed no concerns with the security arrangements we are making for the Indian team... but they have expressed reservations over their team’s long stay in Karachi and Peshawar and want this period to be curtailed,” Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan said.
“We will give due consideration to their point of view and try to adjust accordingly.”
India has not played a full series in Pakistan since the drawn four-match series in 1989-90 but its government cleared the tour in March-April on Saturday, ending days of uncertainty prompted due to media reports.
Pakistan plan to host Test matches in both cities which were shunned by South Africa and New Zealand in their recent tours for security reasons.
Karachi has been hit by several bomb attacks in recent years. In 2002, New Zealand abruptly ended their tour after a suicide bomber killed several people in front of the team hotel. Peshawar is located close to Afghan border.
The tour itinerary is yet to be finalized.
Pakistan to Host Seminar on Cricket Globalization in May
Pakistan will host a seminar on the globalization of cricket, an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) official said yesterday.
“The development managers’ seminar will discuss the ways to globalize cricket development in all the five regions of the International Cricket Council (ICC),” ACC development manager Zakir Ali Syed told AFP. Twenty development managers from around the world, along with ICC President Ehsan Mani and chief executive Malcolm Speed, will attend the seminar to be held in Lahore on May 9 and 10.
“ICC has stressed the global development of the game, and all the regions — with special mention going to the Asian region — have contributed in the development of the game,” Syed said.
Celebrated cricketers, coaches and curators will be invited to the seminar, including former West Indian captain turned match referee Clive LIoyd, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, Test cricket’s highest run-getter and former Australian captain Alan Border, Aussie great Ian Chappell and former South African opener Barry Richards.
A delegation from China and Afghanistan will attend the seminar on special invitation.
China was awarded affiliate membership of the ACC last year after officials found the sport had a keen following there. The ACC has hailed the Indian government’s decision to approve a tour of Pakistan, saying this will have positive effects on the game in the region.
“The hosting of Asia Cup, likely in Sri Lanka in July this year, depends on India’s tour to Pakistan and we hope India and Pakistan will play regular cricket after this historic tour,” he said.
Mark Waugh Expected to Announce Retirement
In Sydney, former Australian Test and One-Day International batsman Mark Waugh has called a press conference today where he is expected to confirm his retirement from cricket.
Waugh’s anticipated decision means New South Wales will be without both Waugh twins, Mark and Steve, next summer as well as coach Steve Rixon, who will coach Surrey in the English county league.
Mark Waugh, 38, retired from Test cricket in October 2002, but has played for his state side since then and was a member of NSW’s Sheffield Shield and domestic Cup winning teams last summer.
He played 128 Tests at an average of 41.81 and took 181 catches — the most in the history of Test cricket.
