CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Monday reacted cautiously to its decision to overlook Pakistan as possible venues for the 2004 and 2006 KnockOut events.

The ICC also ducked the question of whether Pakistan made its bid for either of the events which have been allocated to India, in case it fails to stage next year's event, and England.

"Speak to Brig Munawar Rana on that one. All I can says is to repeat the formal position in the media statement that India is the preferred venue of 2002," Mark Harrison, ICC's communication manager, said in correspondence to Dawn.

Pakistan, who had claimed to be the standby venue for 2002 event in case India failed to host the competition, got a rude shock when UAE, Sri Lanka and Australia were announced as alternate centres at Kuala Lumpur last week.

The decision on 2002 event will be taken in February though the next ICC executive board meeting has been scheduled for Sri Lanka in March.

The ICC, which has been sympathetic towards Pakistan for losing approximately $30million due to cancellation of three events this year, were not considerate while awarding money- spinning tournament.

Rana, who represented Pakistan at Kuala Lumpur, last week said not the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but the ICC had kept Pakistan as backup for India.

Replying to a question on the criterion for picking the hosts for 2002, 2004 and 2006 hosts as the understanding is that the event had been introduced in 1998 to promote and assist developing countries, Harrison said: "The KnockOut does benefit developing countries because all the profit from the tournament goes to fund the ICC Development Programme.

"50 per cent of this money goes directly to the Asian Cricket Council."

The ACC, which fears split following India's arrogant attitude, received $6million as its share from the 2000 competition which was staged in Kenya.

The ICC spokesman also said the neutral venue can come into play as early as January next year for series against the West Indies.

"Yes it could," the spokesman said. Pakistan are to host the West Indies between Jan 29 and March 5. But it was clarified that the neutral venue would have to be approved for international cricket by the ICC. "The choice of venue would be decided after consultation and discussion between all parties, i.e. both participants, the neutral venue and the ICC."

Pakistan has discussed Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Morocco as possible venues while the ICC has offered to reschedule its games in Australia.

Pakistan are also scheduled to host Australia in September next year and in case political scenario doesn't improve, that series might also be played on foreign soil but not necessarily on the turf which would host Pakistan v West Indies.

"In theory the neutral venue could change for each series. In practice it would obviously depend on venue availability, willingness of both teams, TV broadcasters, sponsors and logistics.

"Financial viability will obviously be a big consideration in taking matches to neutral venues. I can't comment on the specifics of this matter, you would be best speaking to Brig Rana on that issue," the spokesman said while answering a question as to what would be the percentage from sponsorship and television rights and who would bear the expenses of touring teams if matches were held on neutral venues.

The ICC spokesman said the West Indies had already confirmed its intention to tour Sri Lanka. "I am sure the decisions on the Pakistan v West Indies and Australia series will be made on the evidence of the situation pertaining at that time and in discussion between the PCB and the visiting countries."

The ICC spokesman confirmed that India were reminded of their international commitments, particularly to Pakistan.

"All countries are asked to fulfil their fixture commitments and the agreement to introduce Disputes Resolution process in part of the ICC's strategy for the protection of the FTP."

© Dawn