CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stayed on collision course with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after its nominations for the match referee's panel were not considered good enough by the mother body.

Pakistan had nominated Naushad Ali, Talat Ali and Wasim Hasan Raja for the five-man match referee's panel which is headed by Sri Lanka Ranjan Madugalle.

The referees panel springs into action in April along with the introduction of elite panel of umpires. But the PCB said Monday it has been told by its "sources" in the ICC that none of its nominees have made it to the final five being selected by Madugalle.

"We have been told that no Pakistani is in the match referees panel which is a hard pill to swallow," a PCB spokesman said. He added: "If that's true, the Cape Town executive council will be quite interesting."

The meeting is scheduled between March 13 and 15. The summit has already got the spice after the ICC suspended its referees commission following threats by Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

"The ICC will have to answer a lot of questions on the criterion and exclusion of Pakistan representatives. Our people didn't get their share before and now again, they are being overlooked," the official said.

Pakistan are said to have formed an alliance with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who are also bitter after none of its nominee has failed to get into the referees panel.

"The BCCI oppose Madugalle because they feel that he is ICC's yes man and will pick people who are liked by the ICC."

India has already claimed that it has the support of Asian bloc along with votes from South Africa and Zimbabwe on the referees commission. The BCCI has informed the PCB that the same alliance would support them in appointments for the match referees panel. "Even if India doesn't support or share voice with us, Pakistan will protest and object to the exclusion of its people."

Naushad reported England fast bowler James Kirtley for a suspect bowling action last year in Zimbabwe. The decision created a furore in the English press and Naushad was bitterly criticized by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Lord McLaurin and chief executive Tim Lamb.

© Dawn