I will not back down, pledges Reid

Controversial International Cricket Council (ICC) referee John Reid Sunday said he has not arrived in Pakistan with any preconceived ideas but warned that he will remain strict and will continue to follow the rules book.

"There are no preconceived ideas in my mind. All has been cleared by the ICC," the 73-year-old New Zealander told Dawn Sunday during his five-hour transit in Karachi before proceeding to Multan where the Asian Test Championship match between Pakistan and Bangladesh starts Wednesday.

"I will remain as strict as ever. I will not be backing down. I have the full support of the ICC," Reid, nicknamed `Bogo', said.

The Auckland-born who captained New Zealand in 34 Tests, came under the hammer when he reported Shoaib Akhtar for a suspect bowling action during the 1999 Test against Australia at Perth which was supervized by Darrell Hair and Peter Willey. Hair will also be in Multan as the ICC umpire while Asoka de Silva is the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) nominee.

Ironically, Reid had not raised any eyebrows over Shoaib's bowling action in the two 1999 World Cup matches he supervized involving Pakistan.

Last year in Sri Lanka, Reid slapped current Pakistan captain Waqar Younis with a 50 per cent fine and one match suspension for ball tampering and also penalized Azhar Mahmood for a similar offence. Interestingly, the two umpires in the centre had not reported any ball tampering to Reid.

The two debatable decisions annoyed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who in October 1999 said Reid will not be welcomed in the country. But when the ICC appointed Reid as match referee for the Multan Test, the present hierarchy objected to his appointment and lodged a strong protest which was spurned by the ICC.

"I don't start anything. I have to follow the rule book. But I am sure it wouldn't happen again and everyone will look after themselves," Reid, who appeared in a record 58 consecutive Tests for New Zealand, said, adding: "When I say everyone, I mean worldwide and not only the Pakistanis."

Asked if he would act similarly if it happens again in Multan, Reid said it was premature to say. "Wait and see," he remarked, adding: "People have got to understand that match referees have jobs to do. They are not on holidays. "But personally, I am looking forward to the tour because I am a great admirer of Pakistan cricket and the great players this country has produced over the years. I am keenly waiting to see some of the young Pakistan stars in action who have quickly made a lot of reputation."

When inquired what he felt after the PCB objected to his appointment, Reid said: "I was disappointed. But we can't go back. We have to look forward to the future. I am sure it (future) will go well.

"I have always enjoyed coming to Pakistan and this time it is no different."

Reid is on his sixth visit to Pakistan, including third as match referee. His previous tours were twice as captain and once as New Zealand Under-19 manager.

Reid said he was willing to meet any PCB official in Multan as he felt it would help in clearing the air and make them understand that match referees have to carry out their jobs. "I will be more than happy to meet any PCB official. As regards the captain (Waqar Younis), I will be seeing him in the pre-Test briefing."

The Director of the PCB, Brig Munawar Rana, said he was delighted that Reid had arrived in Pakistan, adding that he would call him later in the evening to pass on his welcome greetings.

When asked if Reid's arrival means all is forgotten, he said the PCB wants to keep the past in the past and wish to proceed ahead with a clean slate. "He is our honoured guest. He is going to be extended full protocol, courtesy and care befitting an international match referee," he said.

On the two particular decisions that strained the relations between the PCB and Reid, the board official, without going into the details, said: "We respect his standing in international cricket and have a high regard for him."

Reid, during his 18-year career between 1947 and 1965, scored 16,128 runs, including 3,428 in Tests. He scored 39 centuries, six of them in Tests.