PCB gives Bazid benefit of doubt

Karachi, July 6: Pakistan A vice-captain Bazid Khan was given a clean sheet by the cricket administrators after no evidence of indiscipline was proved.

Bazid had refused to represent Pakistan Under-19 in the Youth World Cup played in Sri Lanka earlier this year in protest at the appointment of Sarfraz Nawaz as bowling coach.

"We went through all the files but found nothing. I also asked Sarfraz Nawaz but he said Bazid had pulled out for some other reasons," Yawar Saeed said from Lahore.

The PCB director added that in the absence of any concrete proof, no player can be suspended or stripped of captaincy or vice-captaincy.

However, the reason of Bazid's withdrawal from the tournament were widely reported in the media which were neither denied nor contradicted by the player, the cricket administrators or the bowling coach.

Interestingly, Bazid had continued to represent Pakistan Reserves in the Quaid Trophy.

Indian Tour: Yawar Saeed said he sent a proposed itinerary of India's tour of Pakistan next year. He, however, said the venues have yet to be decided.

He said initially, the dates have been sent which can be altered if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) felt.

He said according to the tentative itinerary, India will arrive here on Dec 25 and return on Feb 11.

In the first phase of the tour, India will play three Tests that will be followed up by five one-day internationals.

When inquired about Brig (retd) Khawaja Mohammad Nasir's statement against India in Colombo earlier this week, Yawar Saeed said the chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia would handle the case.

"He will reach Colombo on Saturday and will then inform what has to be done. I can't comment on this issue," he said.