Yawar defends concert at NSK

Yawar Saeed Tuesday defended the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to rent out the National Stadium for musical concert.

"It's like a house which is rented out to tenants. I don't see any problem as long as you get it back in the condition it was rented out," he said.

He, however, admitted that it was disappointing that the rubbish and rubble was not cleared up in time by the organizers of the concert. The outfield was also damaged when bamboos were used to prepare grand stage and chairs were placed for the audience.

Yawar said he would give a detailed briefing to the PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia.

Nevertheless, the marketing man of the PCB was left with no answers when argued that National Stadium was built for cricketing activities rather than musical concerts.

The organizers of the concert are also planning to host more shows on other Test centres with the next expected on Jan 4 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

It may be mentioned here that Multan Cricket Stadium and Pindi Cricket Stadium have now become the property of the PCB.

Yawar claimed that the earnings from the show would go to the President's Relief Fund. But was surprised when informed that in the publicity campaign, the organizers had not mentioned the fact. "I am surprised because the PCB allowed the show to go on on the assurance that the income from the concert would go to the President's Relief Fund," he said.

Shoaib Akhtar was the focus of attention as the training camp for this month's Bangladesh tour concluded at the National Stadium.

The paceman bowled at full throttle but at the same time left concerns about his future as he faces a one-year suspension if reported again for a suspect bowling action.

The team manager intelligently refused to make the pacer available to the mediamen wanting to interview the controversial bowler.

Shoaib had skipped the previous two days after being allowed by the manager to spend more time with his family.

Saqlain Mushtaq also joined the camp to complete the contingent.

The team leaves early Wednesday morning for Dhaka.

Squad: Waqar Younis (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vicecaptain), Shadab Kabir, Taufiq Umer, Faisal Iqbal, Yousuf Youhana, Naved Latif, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif (wicketkeeper), Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria.

Officials: Yawar Saeed (manager), Mudassar Nazar (coach), Sikander Bakth (analyst), Dr Riaz (physiotherapist).