Chairman Pakistan Cricket board, Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia, held a series of meetings with senior officials of the PCB to discuss a wide range of cricket matters and review progress on various development projects currently underway all over the country.

The Chairman discussed the plans for holding of training camp for the Under-19 probables which are to be picked up soon, for the Junior World Cup to be held in New Zealand in February next year. Discussions were also held on the preparation of Under-14/15 camps which may be held for the next years Asian Under-15 Championship. Detailed plan for this will be revealed on finalization. Sikander Bakht will take on this project.

A detailed update was given to the Chairman about the various on-going development projects undertaken by the Development committee headed by Rameez Raja, which are progressing in all the four provinces.

Fresh rules were formulated for induction of new departmental teams in the Grade II circuit. This includes a commitment to maintain own ground and contribute financially towards development of cricket.

An advance draft on the new PCB Constitution was also discussed at a meeting which was also attended by the Legal Advisor. The draft will be approved by the Patron after it has been finalized.

An initial draft on the Doping policy prepared by the PCB Panel of Doctor was also presented and discussed at the meeting. The Panel charted out a road map for the initiation of anti doping education and policy, starting with the Under-19 World Cup squad for New Zealand. In due course the policy will be applied to the senior team also.

Chairman PCB also finalized a case forwarded by the Disciplinary Committee headed by Iqbal Qasim against fast bowler Mohammad Akram for the serious breach of discipline and holding his explanation unsatisfactory. The fast bowler who had left the training camp and proceeded to UK without permission, has been debarred from playing both International and Domestic cricket for a period of one year.

Special cash prizes will be given for FATA and Quetta teams, the finalist of the Under-19 Grade II circuit, as encouragement for good performance.

Mudassar Nazar is appointed Coach of the Pakistan team till our tour of Bangladesh, due in January 2002. Sikander Bakht will accompany as Asst: Coach till the Sharjah Tournament.

Neutral venues for holding matches were discussed Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Tangiers came under discussion. But these will only be finalized after discussion with ICC.

ICC agenda points were discussed in details as preparation for the ICC meetings in Kuala Lumpur. Chairman PCB will not be going to Kuala Lumpur, owing to his professional commitments. Director PCB will represent him at the Executive Board meeting.


Khalid Butt
Media Manager
October 11, 2001

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