Samiul Hasan: ICC gets proposal to make floodlights mandatory (6 June 1997)

06 June 1997

ICC gets proposal to make floodlights mandatory

Samiul Hasan

KARACHI, June 5: The annual International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting will be held at Lord's on June 11 with a couple of very interesting items on the agenda. One of the items on the agenda is to make it mandatory for all the Test-playing countries to have floodlights at their Test centres.

According to the Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Majid Khan, the proposal has been forwarded by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB). "But I am afraid if it would be passed because there is little support from other boards," Majid said.

The PCB supremo stated that the ACB contention is that some of the matches are reduced because of bad lights. "They (ACB) want that if the Test centres had floodlights, that would eliminate the chances of an early closure because the lights could be switched on so that the day's play could be completed."

The PCB boss stated that the ACB can submit this proposal because it has facilities of floodlights at almost every centre and South Africa and India can too support them. "But what about countries like Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and above all, England. "England don't believe in installing floodlights and they have valid reasons for doing so. First of all, the sun sets at around 10:00 p.m. in the summer and secondly, the chilly weather does not permit cricket play late in the evening," Majid remarked. Majid Khan said as far as Pakistan was concerned, his board did not have enough funds to install lights at every centre. "We are quietly preparing a paper as to how lights can be fixed at the National Stadium, Karachi. Informal deliberations have also continued. I am sure in the near future, Karachi will also have facilities of night cricket," he said.

The second item on the agenda, Majid continued, was the World Cup of Test cricket. The former captain emphasised it was near to impossible to hold a Test World Cup because logistics don't permit. "It will take almost 90 days to complete the event. I don't think it is practically possible."

Majid Khan said there was another proposal that there should be a points system and after four years a world champion of Test cricket was declared. "But the problem here is that not all the teams play each other in four years time. "It is a very complex situation and debate continues to find the best solution," said Majid.

In connection with the one-day international World Cup, Majid said South Africa wants to have it after every two years. "I don't think it is the best idea because World Cup has its own glamour and attraction. I think that it would lose its charm if it is held after every two years. "Besides, you have to give some time to the host country to make preparations and uplift the infrastructure. Two years is insufficient," Majid, who played the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, observed.

Majid Khan disclosed that Pakistan have also submitted a couple of suggestions but about the rules and laws of the game. "We invited around 15 captains after the domestic season ended and discussed with them the playing conditions and certain rules. It was significantly pointed out that cash fines for slow over rates were being imposed despite the fact that result was achieved. "The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would be arguing to remove it if the game produced a result. The ICC had only introduced fines to achieve the target of 90 overs in a day so that it helps in producing more results and lesser draws," the Chief Executive asserted. The majestic cricketer said the ICC would also became a cooperate body in the coming meeting with each Test playing country being on the Board of Directors. "Various committees like finance, cricket, marketing, development, media relations etc will be formed so that it helps in running the body more swiftly."

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