Bangalore: As strained relations between India and Pakistan are witnessing a new low, uncertainty dogged the visit to India by former Pakistan player Iqbal Sikander to attend an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) programme. Sikander, one of the ACC cricket development officers, was originally scheduled to arrive on Friday but his trip now looks doubtful given the current status of relations between New Delhi and Islamabad, according to Dr Vece Paes, ACC Consultant, Sports Medicine and Fitness. But Paes, who was speaking to reporters this evening, hastened to add that he had spoken to Sikander some four days back and the latter told him that he had visited the Indian embassy where the "reception was good". Paes, however, kept his fingers crossed, saying he can't say for sure if Sikander would make it, as the relationship between the two countries has worsened following the expulsion of diplomats in each other's nations. Sikander was one of the three development officers - Roger Binny from India and Rumesh Ratnayake from Sri Lanka being the other two - who are slated to hold a six- day ACC Sports Medicine and Fitness Seminar in Bangalore, together with Paes, beginning on Saturday. Paes recalled that in October last year, Pakistan okayed his and Binny's visit to its country to attend a similar ACC programme on the fourth day and then they flew there. Paes said 23 national coaches and fitness coordinators from four Asian Test playing countries - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - and 12 non-Test playing countries - Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Qatar, Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei, Maldives, Malaysia, Kuwait, Thailand and Oman - are attending the programme. Extras:
Imran calls for boycott of Eng, if Blair attacks Iraq

Tags: cricket, iqbal sikander, asian cricket council, dr vece paes, acc consultant, sports medicine, fitness, roger binny, rumesh ratnayake, india, pakistan, bangladesh, sri lanka, singapore, hong kong, uae.