Pakistan expresses surprise at Snedden statement

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are surprised with a recent statement of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Martin Snedden in which he has reportedly said he had an informal and brief discussion with his Pakistani counterpart in London.

Insiders said PCB director Brig Munawwar Rana had briefed Snedden in detail about the future programmes and had also discussed the possibility of shifting the tri-nation one-day series to Nairobi, Kenya.

"The discussions were held over a cup of tea. One believes it was a formal and serious discussion," PCB sources said.

Nevertheless, Snedden on his return to Christchurch last week said the discussions were brief and informal. He also expressed his ignorance that Kenya was being considered as neutral venue for late August tournament. But all could change when there is a change of guard on July 17. Brig Rana will be replaced by Chisty Mujahid who will become the third PCB director in less than three years.

"There could be fresh discussions but the new director promises to continue from where his predecessor would leave," officials said.

The PCB, in its latest communication to NZC, has proposed to complete the two-Test series next year. According to the offer, Snedden has been requested his send his team to Pakistan for a week after completing the tour to India.

"Snedden has informed that he would submit the proposal before the board of directors soon," officials said.

Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 324 runs in the first Test at Lahore, remembered for Inzamam-ul-Haq's 329. The second Test in Karachi was cancelled after bomb exploded outside the teams hotel.

When Chisty takes over, he will not only have a difficult assignment of rescheduling series' in Pakistan because of security fears. He will also be required to make adjustments to the domestic schedule that has been announced.

Most of the serious and much-awaited tournaments, including the first-class matches, have been scheduled during the time when the World Cup in South Africa will be in progress.

Not only there will be lack of interest amongst the followers of the game, the performances of the fancied teams are also likely to be affected as the attention of the players would be on events in South Africa rather than job in hand.