PCB not to hire Atkinson to prepare pitches

The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to hire the services of Andy Atkinson, the English curator, for the triangular tournament at the end of September, Dawn reported. The decision was taken due to the complaints about the quality of wickets during the series against India played earlier this year.

Additionally the PCB felt that the local curators had learnt a lot from Atkinson's experience, and were capable of preparing good pitches on their own. The pitches prepared for Pakistan's series against South Africa and New Zealand, when Atkinson was involved, had come in for some good reviews. But the pitches for the Bangladesh and India series weren't considered upto scratch.

The triangular tournament will begin on September 30 and involve Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Pakistan. Zimbabwe will also play a four-day practice match from September 23 to 26.