Tele-conference: ICC reply still awaited

Lahore, Dec 27: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet sent any reply to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc committee's request to re-adjust the tele-conference date concerning the illegal deliveries. The proposed date for tele-conference is Dec 30.

The PCB ad hoc committee secretary Shafqat Rana told Dawn on Monday that a request had been officially sent to the ICC tohold the tele-conference either on Dec 26 or on after the triangular series in Australia.

A panel of ICC experts on illegal deliveries will discuss the action of the Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar during the tele-conference. Pakistan will be represented by the former Test captain Imran Khan, who is reported to be in Britain on a private visit. Shafqat Rana said that neither the PCB ad hoc committee nor the ICC had been able to contact Imran Khan. As a Pakistan's counsel, the presence of Imran Khan in the tele-conference is necessary.

He said that it looked impossible to hold the tele-conferenceon Dec 30, as besides Imran Khan'snon-availability, the departure of Pakistan team for Australia on Dec 29 would be another hurdle. Pakistan team is leaving for Australia from Lahore on Dec 29 at 7 pm by Singapore Airlines to play in tri-nation tournament. Host Australia and touring India are the other two teams.