Senators ask for explanation about Karachi issue

The Pakistan Cricket Board is under fire from senators after failing to persaude its English counterparts to agree to play a Test at Karachi during their tour later this year.

According to Dawn, the senators have asked Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Sports and provide an explanation. The England board agreed to play a one-day international at Karachi after Shaharyar spent nearly two months lobbying it to play a Test.

The committee had also probed the affairs of the PCB following last year's home series against India, but has yet to give its final recommendations, which are likely to be finalised in this meeting.

International teams have been wary of touring Karachi for security reasons. South Africa and India refused to play there after a bomb blast outside the New Zealand team's hotel in May 2002. Several cricketers, including Inzamam-ul-Haq, have criticised the PCB's decision. Wasim Akram urged the two boards to show more faith and confidence in the security advice offered by the government, while Javed Miandad had asked the PCB to cancel the England tour.

England will commence their tour on October 26, with Tests scheduled in Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore.