PCB wants ACU sleuths to stay away from Sharjah

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday said it has disallowed International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) to use cameras on its team when they play in Sharjah.

"Sir Paul Condon (ACU chief) has been communicated through the ICC chairman that we don't want his sleuths spying on our players when they play against the West Indies in Sharjah," chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia told Dawn Friday.

"The ACU has been told that Pakistan should be considered as the host board for the series and not Sharjah," he said.

The ACU uses security guards, close-circuit cameras and intelligence officers have the manadate to monitor the movements of the players on venues like Sharjah, Singapore and Toronto.

The practice has been used to curb and eliminate the menace of betting and match-fixing which has left the sport at rock-bottom. Sharjah is accused to be hub of betting and match-fixing.

"I don't want our players to be concerned about the fact that they are being watched in the dressing room and team hotel. Since it is a home series on a neutral territory, I want to provide the maximum home atmosphere for my boys," Tauqir said.

Tauqir said the ACU has also been discouraged because the PCB wanted to reduce its expenses and minimize the financial losses.

"According to initial paperwork, 18 days of cricket in Sharjah will cost us $600,000. At the moment, we are assured of $400,000 income. Dollar can't buy things which Rupee can. But I have given the mandate to my marketing division that I don't want to lose money.

"As situation stands at present, I would be more than satisfied if I break even," the PCB supremo said, adding: "Had the series been played at home, I would have earned $1.5million."

He said Pakistan would bear all the expenses whether it be West Indies team's hospitality, lodging and boarding of both the teams and officials of the board, security, ground maintenance etc.

He said the other dilemma he was facing was the daily allowances to his players. "If the series is being considered a home rubber, one school of thought is that players should be paid in local currency. But the other opinion is that players should be paid in foreign currency.

"I would most probably pay them in dollars because after all it is their money and if the board is wealthy today, its because of the players," he said.

The Pakistan players get a daily allowance of Rs2,500 in Pakistan. But on foreign tours, their dailies surge to $114 which is more than two times they would have got while playing at home. On the contrary, the West Indies players will be awarded $50 as daily allowance.

Tauqir said Pakistan has confirmed to play in a tournament in Moroccan city of Tangiers in August. He said the competition was being organized by the CBFS and in which South Africa has already confirmed participation. "It is going to be a more than three-team competition," he said.

The PCB boss also said Sri Lanka was likely to play three one-day besides the Asian Test Championship final in March. He said Ramiz Raja and directors of the PCB have held discussions with their Sri Lankan counterparts and the response has been very encouraging. "Whether it be CBFS or Sri Lanka, their objective is to help Pakistan both in terms of finances and provide competitive cricket to the team," he said.