Yawar seeks support from India, Lanka

Former director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Yawar Saeed, is seeking the support of India and Sri Lanka for the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) post.

Yawar is one of the candidates for the ICC chief executive's job which becomes vacant later this June when Australian David Richards quits after seven years in the office.

Yawar told an Indian website: "I hope both India and Sri Lanka will support my nomination. In the past, we all have worked as a team. I hope the Asian nations will extend their support this time as well."

The candidates will be short-listed next month in Melbourne when the ICC meets to discuss a wide range of matters. The aspirants will be further scrutinized in June before the appointment is made public.

The website, however, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were undecided whether nominate its own candidate or back Yawar Saeed.

"We haven't thought about whom to nominate for this post. Maybe once the vacancy is advertized, we'll do it," BCCI secretary J.Y Lele was quoted as saying.

The cricketing relations between two Asian neighbours are at its lowest ebb after India refused to tour Pakistan for three Tests and five one-day internationals this month. The cancellation of the series cost a $15 million loss to the PCB.

Pakistan and India last contested in a one-to-one series in 1999 when Pakistan crossed borders for a two-Test, an Asian Test Championship match and triangular one-day series.

The PCB officials have been critical over India's attitude and and also accused them of pulling out of the Malaysian one-day series because Pakistan had agreed to play there.

India denied the allegation saying the question of withdrawing never existed because BCCI never accepted the invitation.