PCB satisfied over end of dispute

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday expressed relief and satisfaction over the end to what it described as "ugly media war" over the dispute between International Cricket Conference (ICC) and Indian cricket board.

"I am delighted that things didn't go beyond repair," chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia told Dawn from Rawalpindi. However, the PCB boss admitted that the more than a week-long drama had left a bad taste in the mouth.

"Although the situation has apparently died down, it has, nevertheless, left a bad taste in the mouth. The media war and war of words between the two parties was pretty depressing for anyone associated with the great sport," the general said.

Tauqir observed that resolution of the crisis confirms that it could have ended much earlier. "Ideally, the two should have sat down together and sorted out the matter instead of triggering a media war. "But all is well that ends well and I honestly hope that a similar crisis never surfaces again," he said.

The PCB supremo once again reiterated that the ICC was the mother body "whose authority was unchallengeable and there should never be a fight between the board and the ICC. Pakistan has always respected the ICC in the highest esteem and would continue to do so."

The PCB chairman said ICC consisted of the executive boards of all the 10 Test playing countries "and whatever decision has been taken by the ICC, is a collective one with consent of every board included."

Tauqir supported ICC's decision to constitute a Referees Commission in which two the references include right of appeal against a match referee's decision and constitution of Code of Conduct for match referees.

"I think it is a good decision. I firmly believe that there should be a right of appeal and there should be a panel to determine if the affected party has a case to feel disturbed.

"In this particular case, if Mike Denness believes that he had taken the right decision in accordance with the set procedures, then he should stick to his guns. "Otherwise, he should have enough courage to raise his hand and admit that he went over-board and some of his punishments were really harsh.

"Whatever maybe the outcome of the investigations, at least India will not feel grieved that its complaints were not given due consideration."

The PCB boss, however, disagreed that code of conduct for umpires and procedure of appeals against controversial umpires decisions can be framed. "The umpires have a split second to make a decision while the match referee has all the facilities to take a punitive action. The two cannot be mixed up," he said.s