PCB to review policy after Uma Bharti's clarification

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday it would look into the policy statement made by the Indian Sports Minister Uma Bharti that the government has objections only on India playing Pakistan in bilateral series' and not in ICC approved multilateral tournaments.

The PCB Director of Operations Brig Munnawar Rana, talking to Gulf News from Lahore said "We have just come to know about the new stance that India's objection of playing against Pakistan is confined only to bilateral cricket matches."

On Pakistan's stance, Rana said "As far as we are concerned there is no change in our stance that if India is not playing against us, we will not play against them. In the light of the latest development from India, we will have to discuss the matter. We have not taken any decision on this matter so far, as we will be discussing this issue at the highest level before coming out with a statement on our stance."

Raj Singh, Marsh satisfied with North Zone academy

The NCA chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur said on Thursday that he was pleased with the facilities offered at the Ferozshah Kotla for training the players selected for the North Zone academy. Talking to reporters, Dungarpur who is inspecting the zonal academies said though he was apprehensive over Delhi as a venue, he was satisfied with the infrastructure provided at the Kotla. "There were some apprehensions regarding the choice of Delhi in preference to Mohali for the North Zone academy. In fact, I was more inclined towards Mohali but after seeing the excellent facilities and infrastructure here, I think we haven't made a wrong choice," Dungarpur said.

BCCI consultant and former Australian coach Geoff Marsh also expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the academy and said they were ideal for training the youngsters. "The facilities are fantastic. We have a good pitch, former Test cricketers as coaches, an excellent gym and swimming pool for physical fitness and above all 20 talented and bright youngsters," Marsh added.

Dates, venues for India's tour to Sri Lanka announced

India will play three Tests during their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. India will also take part in a triangular one-day series with New Zealand as the third team. Sri Lanka take on New Zealand in the opening match of the triangular series on July 18 at the Premadasa International Stadium, while India play their first match on July 20.

The schedule of India's tour of Sri Lanka in July-August 2001 during their 46-day tour is as follows:

Triangular Series: July 18: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (Premadasa Stadium), July 20: India v New Zealand (Premadasa Stadium), July 22: Sri Lanka v India (Premadasa Stadium), July 25: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (Rangiri Dambulu Stadium), July 26: Sri Lanka v India (Rangiri Dambulu Stadium), July 27: India v New Zealand (Rangiri Dambulu Stadium), July 30: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (Sinhalese Sports Club), July 31: India v New Zealand (Sinhalese Sports Club), August 2: Sri Lanka v India (Sinhalese Sports Club), August 4: Final (Premadasa Stadium).

India also plays a three day game commencing from August 8 at Matara. The three Tests are at Galle (August 14 to 18), Kandy (August 22 to 26) and SSC, Colombo (August 29 to September 2).

Laloo Prasad to contest BCA elections

The former Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav is all set to take up fresh guard as he has filed nominations for the post of Bihar Cricket Association to be held on May 20. His name was proposed by the associations's life member Alok Raj and seconded by former Ranji Trophy player Ajay Narain Sharma. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is May 16.

The other contender for the post is Bollywood star and BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha. Meanwhile, for the Cricket Association of Jharkhand, no nominations have been filed.

Two day umpires seminar to be held in Kodaikanal

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) will conduct a two day umpires' seminar at St. Peter's School, Kodaikanal on May 5 and 6. The seminar will be inaugurated by the TNCA secretary Ashok Kumbhat and will be held under the auspices of Dindigul District Association.

ICC umpire and former Indian captain S Venkataraghavan will be holding technical sessions. He will be assisted by the Chairman of the TNCA umpires committee R Radhakrishnan.

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