The Hindu : Sport : Too many bilateral contests: Shaharyar

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Sunday, Dec 04, 2005

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Too many bilateral contests: Shaharyar

Special Correspondent

Photo: Vivek Bendre

Shaharyar Khan

Mumbai: Talking to reporters here on his arrival, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohammad Shaharyar Khan, said he is in Mumbai essentially to greet the new BCCI president, Sharad Pawar, and to have a dialogue with him on several issues in connection with India-Pakistan cricket.

"The Indian board has to approve the itinerary for the forthcoming tour to Pakistan and obtain clearance from appropriate departments of the Indian Government. I have to request Mr. Pawar to assume responsibility of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) following Jagmohan Dalmiya resignation and also discuss matters related to ACC and ICC.

"Pakistan had sent the itinerary four months ago. Karachi was scheduled to host the first Test, but the BCCI requested for a two-day warm up game before the first Test and hence the first Test was rescheduled to be played at Lahore.

Now the BCCI appears to have a rethink that the two-day game is not necessary. So I have to discuss the playing conditions, venues with the BCCI and finalise the itinerary. There are only 28 days left for the tour to start," said Mr. Khan.

He further added that India and Pakistan were playing too much cricket.

"There's been too much of bilateral contests between the two of us and I don't want the enthusiasm to wane in a contest which is tougher than the Ashes series. We met each other on 14 occasions last year and are to meet at least 11 times this season, which means one match every month. It's like strangling the goose that lays the golden egg. We are playing so much cricket, but all the same we have to make up for the loss."

Mr. Khan said not headway has been made, except for agreeing to a six-year cycle at the ICC scheduling summit in Dubai and at the executive board meeting in Melbourne. "Players were getting injured and boredom and staleness was creeping in. That's why we agreed for a six-year cycle. But even in the six-year cycle we were trying to put one too many. The objective is not being achieved."

Talking of the developments in Zimbabwe he said, "I am distressed by the events in Zimbabwe. I think there's a break down of administration there. Even Tatanda Taibu has quit. The situation I hope will correct itself with people like Justice Ebrahim Ahmed coming into the picture. Should it not happen then the ICC should step in."

About fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's fine showing against England he said, "we sent him a polite message. Now he's committed, disciplined, fit and thinks of the team unity."

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