Karachi: Pakistan on Tuesday said it was not worried by cricket chaos in Kenya, the likely venue a tri-series with Australia next month. After the government dissolved the country's sporting body.
"We are not worried over reports coming from Kenya and we are dealing with Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) and for us the tri-series is on," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Chishty Mujahid said. The tri-series, rescheduled for August 29-September 7, appeared to be serious doubt amid controversy surrounding the KCA, which is responsible for managing cricket in Kenya. Kenyan Sports Minister Francis Nyenze had advised the PCB, through the Pakistan High Commission in Nairobi, that it would not be possible to stage the event in Kenya since the KCA was no longer recognised by the government. Nyenze dissolved the entire KCA executive in May and appointed a caretaker committee to run the sport for a period of three months. But, the KCA obtained a court injunction against the minister's intervention, claiming their eligibility as the rightly elected body. The move was supported by the sports governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), which said it would abide by the court ruling. "As the ICC accepts the Kenyan Cricket Association, we will also deal with them and have nothing to worry because they have confirmed participation and hosting of the event," Mujahid said. Pakistan's One-day event, originally scheduled to be played in southern port city Karachi, was thrown in trouble right from the word go. Security fears in the wake of two-bomb blasts in Karachi, the first on May 8 outside New Zealand team hotel, prompted Australia to demand the event be shifted to a neutral venue. Then New Zealand last week pulled out saying it had other commitments. Kenya agreed to replace New Zealand in a letter sent to PCB on Monday. "I am going to Nairobi on August 5 and Australian cricket manager Steve Bernard will also come to inspect the facilities there and would hopefully be able to stage this tri- series," Mujahid said. "We knew the problems were going on for some time in Kenyan cricket but we have assurances and that's why we are hopeful." Mujahid also said he would suggest through Bernard. Australian Cricket Board (ACB) inspectors visit Pakistan ahead of a Test series scheduled in October this year. "Pakistan is pressing to host the Test series on home grounds and for that we would invite ACB observers to come and ascertain the security," he said. Bangladesh is also seen as a host option should Australia refuse to tour Pakistan.
Extras:
Onus on PCB to sort out Kenya series mess: Australia
Minister throws spanner in Kenya's tri-series bid
Tags: cricket, karachi, pakistan, kenya, australia, kenyan cricket association, kca, pakistan cricket board, pcb director chishty mujahid, kenyan sports minister francis nyenze, pakistan high commission in nairobi, international cricket council (icc), new zealand, australian cricket manager steve bernard, bangladesh.
|
Other sections
|
|
|
E-mail
To the Editor
Print
Be the first to comment this article.