PCB Camp Office Brisbane (Australia)]

Australian umpire Emerson has been widely criticised for his statement on Pakistani Fast Bowler Shoaib Akhtar. This morning, during the warm up (First Class) match being played between Pakistan and Queensland XI at Alan Border cricket field at Brisbane, the ICC Referee Peter Burge (Referee for the current match also) called on Pakistan Captain Wasim Akram and categorically expressed regrets on Emerson's action and statement on Shoaib Akhtar. The short but meaningful meeting at Pakistani Team's Dressing Room was also attended by PCB Media Manager Raju Jamil.

Peter Burge, a known ICC Referee was also the Referee during World Cup 99 matches, was surprised on the statement of umpire Emerson and clearly stated to Wasim Akram that whilst the World Cup matches not even a reference was made on Shoaib Akhtar in the context of what Emerson has suddenly cropped up. He said that many cricket enthusiasts including some retired cricketers in Australia have regretted the act of Emerson which appeared in the local media yesterday.

The GM Operations Richard Watson has already spoken to Yawar Saeed the Manager of the Pakistan Cricket Team and has assured that no reference of any kind as such has been made to the Australian Cricket Board at Melbourne. Earlier in the morning a few reporters visited Yawar Saeed at the ground during which Yawar Saeed was straight on to his business by expressing dismay on such statements and stating that "we are here to play good cricket....So please let's all look forward to the forthcoming Test matches and enjoy the game".

In general.... the act of umpire Emerson has been widely condemned by all and sundry and a large number of phone calls received by the officials of PCB in Australia from Australians....Spoke of the Embarrassment umpire Emerson has caused to the Australians just before the start of the first Test match and has been deeply regretted.

Dated Nov 2, 1999