PCB chairman orders probe into allegations (9 Jul 1998)

9 July 1998

PCB chairman orders probe into allegations

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, July 8: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Khalid Mahmood, has ordered investigations into allegations that the Under-19 team picked by the selectors was tampered.

"It is a very serious accusations because never in the past such a thing has been said about the team," Mahmood said from Lahore.

"In addition to this, the KCCA has lodged a strong protest and it is our duty to satisfy our affiliated unit."

Mahmood said he has summoned the three selectors on Thursday to explain their views on the allegations. "The selectors will be asked what team they picked and which boys have been left out.

"The omission of Faisal Iqbal is quite surprising," admitted the PCB chairman, adding: "He deserved selection on the performance which was told to us."

Mahmood said the selectors have also been called because they couldn't attend the council meeting.

On the allegation of tampering of the team, Mahmood said the council got the unsigned team because the secretarial staff had re-typed the list so that it could be presented to every council member.

He stated that original team must still be in the PCB files. "I haven't seen it yet but I will definitely ask it to be presented to me during my meeting with the selectors."

Mahmood said if it was proved that the team has been tampered with, it would be the council which will decide what action has to be taken against the individual involved.

The KCCA officials have alleged that Waqar Ahmad and Azhar Khan were involved in changing the list which was prepared by the selectors with the consent of Azhar Khan.

Meanwhile, the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) has threatened that it may boycott all Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) activities if its demands were not accepted.

According to sources, the KCCA were calling an emergency meeting of its executive council to inform the house of the recent developments in which three Under-19 cricketers were sent home by one selector and later only one was selected in the team which will tour England later this month.

Although the agenda was yet to be formalized, sources said if the KCCA didn't get its deserving share "the association would boycott all the PCB activities."

A KCCA spokesman said: "If the (KCCA) council agreed, we might pull out our councillor (in the PCB), four members in the general body and also boycott all the PCB organized tournaments, including the National Junior Cup, Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and the National One-day Championship."

Prof Sirajul Islam Bukhari, secretary of the KCCA, said the stand of his association was very clear. "We want disciplinary action against the individual who tampered with the team that was selected by the three selectors. Besides, we demand the inclusion of Faisal Iqbal (former Pakistan Under-14 captain) and Shiraz Haider (a budding fast bowler)."

Bukhari said the decision on when to call a council meeting would be taken late Wednesday evening, adding: "The entire KCCA hierarchy is upset and angry with the way KCCA has been treated." Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, vice president of the KCCA, said: "It is time that the KCCA should take a bold decision. We have been receiving step-motherly treatment for the last couple of years. We have had enough of it."

Shah added: "The KCCA should also withdraw all its support to the PCB with immediate effect."

Karachi will be organising at least one Test (against Australia in October) and two one-day internationals (against Australia and Zimbabwe).

Azhar Khan says team was not signed: Coach-designate of thePakistan under-19 team which is to begin tour of Britain this month, Azhar Khan, has stated that the national junior selection committee had not signed the list of 20 probables presented before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Council which met in Lahore on July 3 (Sunday), adds Our Correspondent from Lahore.

Talking to Dawn at the Qadhafi Stadium on Wednesday, Azhar Khan said that the committee (whose member he himself is) only handed over a list of 20 probables to the PCB, which did not contain signature of any member. However, he expressed ignorance about the fact as to how the 15-member team was finalised and approved. The council, it may be recalled, gave its approval to the top 15 players of the said list.

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)