PCB lodges protest with ICC over Shoaib

Karachi, Jan 3: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) challenging the suspension of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, officials said here on Monday.

The chairman of the PCB ad hoc committee Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia told newsmen that a three-page letter was dispatched to the game's governing body on Friday in which the cricket board has expressed its displeasure.

The general said it has been pointed out to the ICC that the 20-minute footage of Shoaib Akhtar contained actions when he was either bowling an express fast delivery or a bouncer. He claimed it was an incomplete video footage because the ICC advisory panel was not given an opportunity to watch Shoaib Akhtar's all six deliveries of an over.

"Naturally, the advisory panel gave its views on whatever material was provided to it," said the cricket board chairman.

Lt-Gen Tauqir said the letter has been addressed to ICC chairman Jaghmohan Dalmiya and chief of the advisory panel on illegal deliveries Sir Clyde Walcott.

The PCB chairman said only six members of the advisory panel attended the teleconference on Dec 30 which ruled Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action as illegal.

"Representatives from Pakistan, India and Zimbabwe didn't attend the teleconference. We have also inquired from the advisory panel whether it was a unanimous decision or a split. But no reply has so far been received," said the general.

He said Shoaib Akhtar will be staying in Perth for another four to five days during which he bowling action videos will be prepared from all the possible angels.

He said the board has sought assistance from former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee who is the incharge of a cricket academy in WACA. The academy is said to have the latest technology available, he added.

He said while Lillee expressed no doubts whatsoever on the bowling action of Shoaib, the legendary Australian bowler promised full support and cooperation. "He is on vacations until Jan 16 but he will pass on the instructions to his management who will follow the guidelines.

"The video that will be prepared in Perth, will be send to the ICC with a request to review its decision in the background of the latest footage," he remarked.

The PCB chief said an appointment will soon be taken with former West Indies great Michael Holding who will then try to remove any doubts in Shoaib's bowling action.

Asked if the PCB would request the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) not to appoint controversial umpire Darrell Hair in matches involving Pakistan in the tri-nation series, the general replied in the negative.

The minor beneficiaries in October's Sharjah CBFS tournament will be paid their dues, he said. It may be recalled that the previous management had withheld the amount which has already been deposited in PCB kitty by the organizers.

He, however, said the PCB would draw a policy according to which beneficiaries would be nominated for the Sharjah contests. He said seniority will be basis of recommendation.

He added that he was planning to introduce a welfare trust for the former, current and future Test cricketers. He said in this connection, he has received a feed back from former Test cricketers whom he met earlier in the day.

While speaking as a chief guest in a reception hosted by Airport Gymkhana for whom he played veteran's cricket when he was a brigadier, Lt-Gen Tauqir said he was shocked when he took over as the PCB chief.

"My understanding was that there would be a system. But I was surprised when I found none. Instead, I was told that the cricket board worked on the instructions of the chairman as the duties to all the PCB officials were not assigned," he said, adding: "Now you can't expect me to list my duties and fix the responsibilities of other officials."

The general said the Pakistan cricket team enjoyed a great respect for its skills, potential and talent. But he added that as a cricketing nation, the reputation was not very encouraging.

"Our reputation has been badly hurt this decade with a series of controversies ranging from ball tampering to match-fixing to pot smoking to alcohol etc," he said.

He added that as soon as he took over, he decided that his priority would be to give importance to cricketing values more than anything else.

The general is here on a three-day visit. On Tuesday evening, he will hold his first press briefing in Karachi.