Visa problems lead to postponement of US matches

The proposed series of matches between an Asian XI and a World XI at the Houston Astrodome have been cancelled only four days before the first of three games was due to be played.

The official reason given by the organisers was that there were too many problems in obtaining visas for many of the players. Yesterday, it was reported that several of the Pakistan participants, including Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, were waiting to have them issued.

The official line is that the tournament has merely been postponed until August, but given the packed international schedules which affect almost all those participating, it seems highly unlikely that anything could be reorganised at such short notice. One source close to the event said that there were also rumours of problems with television coverage.

The news is yet another blow for those trying to promote cricket in the USA. In March, Project USA, the ICC's ambitious initiative to boost the game, was scrapped after problems with the USA Cricket Association, and there are serious concerns whether ProCricket, the USA's domestic Twenty20 tournament, will take place. Last year's competition reportedly lost several million dollars, and with less than five weeks until the 2005 event is due to start, it is almost impossible to find any information about it.