Karachi Test in jeopardy?

Karachi's cricket authority has laid down a court challenge against a Pakistan Cricket Board decision to withdraw its rights to host Tests and one-day matches, putting next week's Test against Bangladesh - scheduled for Karachi's National Stadium - in jeopardy.

The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) has filed the suit in the Sindh High Court, according to their lawyer Arshad Tayyab Ali. It is due to be heard on Friday (August 15). The action challenges the PCB's recent decision to set up provincial cricket associations to organise matches at district level, effectively ending the KCCA's rights to host Tests and one-day games. The PCB also announced that the newly formed Sindh Cricket Association (SCA) would host the Test against Bangladesh in Karachi, which is due to start on August 20.

The KCCA has refused to accept the decision, saying the formation of the new association was "unconstitutional". According to Ali, the board's move is "an unjust action against the KCCA". And if the court issues an injunction order, the PCB's cricket schedule and the Bangladesh Test could be jeopardised.

"We had no other option but to go to the court as our last resort and would still not want to disrupt the Test match," Sirajul Islam Bukhari, the KCCA secretary, told AFP. But the PCB's spokesman Samiul Hasan expressed dismay over the action: "It is disappointing, and on the eve of a hectic home season we should have spent our energies on organising the Test." However, he said, "At the moment there is no threat to the Test match."

Bangladesh are due to play three Tests and five one-day internationals. Then South Africa tour Pakistan, for three Tests and three one-dayers.