ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the patron of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has expressed concern over the national team's disappointing performance in Australia and incidence of in discipline.
Musharraf conveyed his concerns to the chairman of PCB, Shaharyar M. Khan who called on him in Islamabad on Monday. Shaharyar was told in clear terms that strict disciplinary action be taken against the offending players if they were found to have breached the code of conduct.
Pakistan were crushed ruthlessly 3-0 in the Test series and have now lost twice to Australia in the tri-series competition which is currently on. The poor showing on the field coupled with cases of in discipline, among them the alleged rape of an Australian woman by a Pakistani player who is still unidentified, have sullied the team's image.
The PCB moved quickly to clarify that pace man Shoaib Akhtar who has been called back from Australia, was not the man involved in the incident, as was widely being thought. Shaharyar reportedly told the president that new coach Bob Woolmer needed some more time to form a fighting unit.
He also briefed him on the forthcoming tour to India and said that venues would be finalised shortly after consultations between the two boards which are under way. Musharraf was also informed about the Feb 13 Tsunami relief match in Kolkata between an Asian XI and a Rest of the World side.
The PCB's efforts to revitalise first class cricket in a big way through sponsorship and television coverage, revival of the game at the school, club and university levels also formed part of Shaharyar's briefing.
Shaharyar was directed to bring about the required administrative changes in the PCB. The president directed PCB boss to continue with the action plan and to introduce the necessary administrative changes in the board.
PAKISTAN DELEGATION ARRIVES
NEW DELHI: A Pakistani delegation arrived in India on Monday to assess security at match venues ahead of their first test tour there for six years, adds Reuters. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official Zakir Khan and Sohail Khan, a security expert, will undertake a five-day tour before submitting their report.
The Pakistan squad is scheduled to arrive on February 25 to play three tests and five one-day internationals. The officials will begin their inspection on Tuesday in Mohali, the probable first test venue in the state of Punjab bordering Pakistan.
The provisional venues and order of the matches will be confirmed after the delegation's visit. "Our job is look at the venues, accommodation for the players, travel, and of course, the security of the team," Zakir said on arrival in New Delhi.
Ahmedabad, the major city in Gujarat, is due to host one test but is a controversial choice after the western state was rocked by India's worst communal riots for a decade in 2002.
The PCB official said although the choice of venues was up to the host board, the PCB would discuss any concerns with Indian cricket officials. "We are here with an open mind," he said. "We'll look at everything and present our report to the cricket board."
OUR LAHORE CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Before leaving for India Zakir said that he had not received any instructions from the government not to include Ahmedabad as one of the venue of the forthcoming tour of the Pakistan team to India.
The venues of the matches will be discussed, but, I did not receive any special instructions from the government to exclude Ahmedabad if included in the schedule," he said.
"It is a routine visit which has been taking place prior to any tour as India had also sent a four-member delegation when their team travelled to Pakistan last time," he added.
Sohail, who had been the person responsible for the security arrangements when the Indian team travelled to Pakistan in March-April last year, however, declined to comment.
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