Different balls used in one innings

Karachi, Sept 21: Pakistan cricket went through a unique experience on Monday evening when two different balls were used in a National One-day Championship match at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.

After the imported kookaburra ball lost its shine and hardness by the 47th over, the umpires used a locally manufactured ball to complete PIA's innings against Pakistan Customs as the reserve ball was not available.

In fact the problem had started after 40 overs when the batsmen complained that the ball had lost its shine and hardness. The umpires accepted the batsmen's complaint.

However, the ball couldn't be replaced as the organizers had not provided reserve balls. The innings, nevertheless was resumed after a five-minute delay. But the ball had to changed when it lost in one of the houses adjacent to the stadium.

The umpires said the locally manufactured ball had to be used because the new ball cannot be brought into the same shape of the 47-over ball.

With the PCB having fixed Rs 2,200 fine for each ball not returned, Pakistan Customs said they would not pay the fine because the ball had been lost.

"How can we return the ball when it is not in our possession. It nwas lost during the course of play and we are not responsible," a team official said.

The PCB has allocated six cricket balls each to every team but there was no word what would happen if all the six cricket balls were lost in a match at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.

The event was also marred by poor planning on the part of the organizers (the PCB) as results of matches played on different centres were not provided to the media. The previous management used to fax complete score sheets to newspaper offices which helped the teams and cricketers get proper coverage.