PCB offered to play against West Indies in Toronto (24 August 1999)

24 August 1999

PCB offered to play against West Indies in Toronto

The Dawn

Lahore, Aug 23: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received offerfrom the International Management Group (IMG) to play three-match series at Toronto against West Indies, after India pulled out its team due to Kargil issue.

The PCB ad hoc committee member Javed Zaman said on Monday that Pakistan was considering the offer and would take firm decision in few days.

He said that if the PCB found the offer suitable, the series would be held in September this year.

Karachi sports desk adds: The Canadian five-match one-day series with India will be replaced by a three-match series with the West Indies, informed sources said.

The series will be played between Sept 16 and 20.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc committee Mujeeb-ur-Rehman admitted that an offer has been made by theIMG.

"We have been offered to play a series with the West Indies. But I will decide by the end of this week whether to send the team or not," he said from Islamabad.

He, however, added that though he has to consult his fellow members, he personally felt that the offer should be accepted.

He emphasised that if Pakistan played in Toronto, it will received half a million dollars as guarantee money besides sharing the profit or loss from the series.

"The board will get richer and that money could be spent over more development work in the country," he remarked.

He added that in addition to this, Pakistan will get a great opportunity to prepare mentally and physically for the October's Sharjah event followed up by the tour to Australia.

"You can imagine the confidence the team would be in if it beats the West Indies. The defeat, on the contrary, will help the team management to have a look into the reasons and rectify them for the following events," he observed.

According to informed sources,IMG has also approached the Indian cricket board and have offered them to play the West Indies between Sept 11 and 15 in Toronto.

TheIMG official, however, said when the dates of the event would be finalized, Pakistan will get the priority. "We will first accommodate Pakistan and will then consider India. If Pakistan is ready to play between Sept 16 and 20, India will be asked to play between Sept 11 and 15."

He said the profits of the two series' would be equally shared by the three parties (IMG, Pakistan and India) while the West Indies will be paid a guarantee money.

ALI BACHER CALLS MUJEEB: The managing director of the South African cricket board, Dr Ali Bacher, had a telephonic conversation with Mujeeb-ur-Rehman on Monday.

Mujeeb said Bacher called him to appreciate the efforts he was making in the smooth running of the cricket affairs. "Bacher told me that Pakistan has the best talent and only thing which was required was a proper infrastructure."

Mujeeb said Bacher offered him to send his secretariat staff which will be trained in administrative work by the South African opposite numbers.

Mujeeb said as soon as the new people were inducted in the board, they would be flown to South Africa where they will learn how to look after the administrative work.

Mujeeb said Bacher also offered his full assistance and cooperation for setting up cricket academies in Pakistan. "He has offered to extend his full support and expertize in establishing training schools."

Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)