Rawalpindi Test shifted to Multan as PCB condemns Mumbai attacks
LAHORE, Nov 27 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), while condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, also decided to shift the second Test of the home series against India from Rawalpindi to Multan.
PCB's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Saleem Altaf told reporters here on Thursday that the PCB condemns the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Mumbai but the life must go on and cricket matches should continue as it would be a befitting reply to the terrorists.
He said the PCB, soon after getting information about the attacks in Mumbai, had sent an e-mail to its Indian counterpart asking them whether Pakistan should send Sialkot Stallions to participate in the Champions League or not.
“We were ready to send the team for the Twenty20 event (starting from Dec 3) but the BCCI postponed it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saleem said that since the Pindi Stadium is unlikely to be ready for the second Test against India - scheduled to start from Jan 21 - the PCB has shifted it to Multan.
The PCB ground staff had also started work to prepare the Multan Stadium for the Test, he added.
However, contrary to the reasons given by PCB for shifting the Pindi match, reliable sources said the recent meetings of the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt with the Indian High Commissioner brought about the change as the venue has been declared as unsafe due to terrorist activities.
While the home series against India is still very much in the doldrums, Saleem said the PCB was busy in making the arrangements for the series as it hoped the two countries would meet here to delight the fans with some entertaining cricket after a barren year of Test cricket.