Kiwis, ICC officials unhappy

Several officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) got panicky and left the New Zealanders and ICC officials fuming with anger after the incident of bomb blast on Wednesday.

A senior PCB official disappeared from the team hotel and took refuge in the National Stadium along with two of his staff officers. He later left for Lahore by 6:30pm flight. Interestingly, the New Zealand flew for Singapore on way to Christchurch by the 7:25pm flight.

Another PCB official vanished from the depressing morning scenes and left matters in the hands of director Brig Munawar Rana who kept a cool head and tactfully handled the tricky situation. He was seen interacting with the visitors, the home team players and match officials.

The most disgusting conduct was shown by another senior PCB official who approached the New Zealand cricketers at noon and demanded the refund of daily allowances for the remaining days of the tour.

New Zealand, who were scheduled to leave on May 13, were entitled a daily allowance of Rs2,000 which was delivered to them for eight days when they arrived in the city Monday. The total amount paid to the board to the touring contingent was Rs288,000.

The visitors, who felt humiliated, virtually threw the money in Stephen Fleming's room while expressing anger. Later, team managaer Jeff Crowe took the matter to the PCB director who apologized on behalf of the PCB.

Probably scared by the events and fearing his own life, the man in charge for the team officials also left for Lahore by 6.30pm flight leaving behind disappointed and bewildered match officials Mike Procter, Rudi Koertzen and Steve Bucknor.

The three were later rescued by the liaison officer of New Zealand team who ensured that the trio boarded the Emirates flight for Dubai at 11:00pm. Also on the flight was Crowe who was unhappy with the way his team was treated.

"I am disappointed because we were left all alone. I tried to locate General Manager Operation, Zakir Khan, but he was not available. Anyway, we were rescued by our team's liaison officer," Crowe said shortly before his departure.

Crowe had returned to the hotel after seeing off his team that left the hotel under state protocol at 4:30pm. Crowe finally checked-out at 8:30pm.

The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), who were the organizers of the match, also failed to make their presence felt at the airport to say good-bye to the visitors. The local association officials were present at the airport when the team arrived on May 18.

While Crowe proceeded to Frankfurt from Dubai, New Zealand physiotherapist Dayle Shackel was given 10 days paid holidays by his employers.

Shackel, who suffered a minor bruise during the bomb attack, had decided to avail the incentive in Dubai.