ISLAMABAD, 19 July 2006 — Pakistan have dropped the northwestern frontier province city of Peshawar from their list of international venues this season after complaints from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“The ICC match referee had expressed his dissatisfaction over the facilities and arrangements when we played India in a one-dayer in February this year,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director Abbas Zaidi told Reuters.
“The complaints pertained to lack of facilities and proper security arrangements for the match officials and teams,” he added.
“We have informed the Peshawar cricket authorities about the ICC complaint. We expect them to work on improving things. After which we will review it for holding international games.” Peshawar and its Arbab Niaz Stadium has been shunned on security grounds by touring sides Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand in the last five years because of its proximity to the Afghanistan border.
Mushtaq in Line for Pakistan Recall
In London, veteran spinner Mushtaq Ahmed could be in line for a shock recall to Pakistan’s injury-hit squad for the second Test against England at Old Trafford next week.
The 36-year-old hasn’t played for Pakistan for three years but is the leading wicket-taker in county cricket this year, with 53 for Sussex.
“We are talking about it but we haven’t made a decision yet,” team manager Zaheer Abbas told the BBC. Chief selector Wasim Bari, speaking from Islamabad, confirmed that Mushtaq was an option being considered.
Mushtaq played 52 Tests between 1990 and 2003, taking 185 wickets.
Yousuf Joins Inzamam
in Top Five
In Dubai, Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and first Test double centurion Mohammad Yousuf both feature in the top five of the world’s leading batsmen, according to the latest ICC rankings. Inzamam climbed one place to third after twin half-centuries in the drawn Test against England while Yousuf, whose 202 was his second successive Test double hundred against the English, moved up two spots to fifth. Completing a trio of Pakistan batsmen in the Top 10 is Younis Khan, who missed the Lord’s Test through injury. He lies seventh in the table.
Ricky Ponting of Australia and India’s Rahul Dravid remain the world’s top two batsmen.
Batsmen Ranking:1 Ricky Ponting (Australia) 931pts; 2 Rahul Dravid (India) 882; 3 Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) 846; 4 Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 832; 5 Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) 828; 6 Matthew Hayden (Australia) 808; 7 Younis Khan (Pakistan) 788; 8 Mike Hussey (Australia) 780; 9 Brian Lara (West Indies) 732; 10 Kevin Pietersen (England) 724.
