PCB protest to ICC over postings

Karachi, Sept 4: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has protested to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the postings of its representatives in the panel of umpires and match referees.

According to highly placed sources, PCB dispatched its letter last month in which it was pointed out that one of Pakistan's match referee Col Naushad Ali got an appointment a year ago while the umpires - Mian Aslam and Riazuddin - have remained on the sideline for quite sometime.

The PCB has pleaded that if its umpires and match referees would not get international exposures, there is little chance of getting their skills polished. "The PCB wants equality. There should be equal distribution of matches."

The cricket board has contested that a select group of umpires and match referees were being given appointments. The PCB has not hesitated in pointing out the name of Doug Cowie who got back-toback Tests in the just concluded series between the West Indies and England.

"Because of (Doug) Cowie, Pakistan failed to create history at Antigua in May. But the umpire continues to get important assignments," the PCB said in the letter.

Ironically, Intikhab Alam was appointed as match referee for the last three Tests between England and the West Indies. But the PCB removed him at the last minute which allowed the ICC to appoint Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle.