Samiul Hasan: ICC expected to prepare international itineraries (15 Apr 1998)

Wednesday, April 15, 1998

ICC expected to prepare international itineraries

By Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, April 14: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to take over the assignment of preparing international itineraries of teams in an effort to provide even chance to all the nine Tests and two one-day playing countries.

A proposal in this context has been drafted and final touches are being given to it to place it before the forthcoming ICC meeting scheduled in eight weeks time at Lord's.

According to the proposal, the ICC will prepare a comprehensive schedule of all the teams and will try to give every possible chance to weaker sides to play against stronger teams, both at home and away.

Previously, the respective boards used to contact their counterparts and finalise tours on reciprocal basis. However, if the proposal is approved, the job will be done by the global body.

The necessity to draw an international itinerary was felt after Zimbabwe's inability to exchange any tours with West Indies and also because Bangladesh and Kenya have not been awarded their deserving right to play in limited overs competitions despite being awarded one-day status.

The chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Majid Khan, said from Lahore that PCB was firmly supporting the idea and added that South Africa also favoured the suggestion.

"If cricket has to be made competitive, this has to be done because the weaker sides were not getting their share of top class cricket against better outfits," said Majid who returned from South Africa on Monday.

Majid, however, felt that if the proposal was accepted, it was unlikely to be enforced before the turn of the century. "Most of the teams have a packed calendar till 2000. But if the idea is accepted by the forthcoming ICC meeting, future commitments will not be made between the boards at Lord's, a normal procedure being followed for years."

The PCB chief executive stated that if the idea was given a go-ahead, it may also become World Cup of Test cricket "because all the teams will be playing on the format of home and away. If the idea becomes reality then there will be no need for a separate tournament and the champion may be declared after the circle is completed."

Majid, who also met other cricket officials during his tour, said the ICC had pinned high hopes to the ICC Trophy to be held at Dhaka, Bangladesh, between Oct 1 and 9.

"The ICC is expecting to generate US$10 million from that competition. If ICC meets its expectations, the money will be invested in several programmes that have been finalised to upgrade cricket in up-and-coming countries."

The former Pakistan captain said the ICC plans to spend money on associate members in the field of umpiring, coaching and groundsmen courses. "Physical infrastructure will also be improved in the developing countries."

Majid said that the ICC also plans to have its own curator who will either coach the groundsmen or will be asked to fly to other countries to prepare sporting wickets. "If we felt that his (ICC curator's) services were needed, we can also request ICC to assign him to prepare our wickets."

Majid said his discussions with Dr Ali Bacher were very constructive and both the countries also agreed to exchange technologies and experiences.

Talking about the Pakistan team, he said its morale was sky-high "but they are lacking fitness. Injuries have weakened the team as at least four top cricketers are not available."

Source:: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)