ACC optimistic India will visit Pak

Despite doubts over India playing Pakistan in Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council has expressed its 'fullest confidence' that India will take part in the Asian Test championship match against its neighbour, scheduled to be played in Karachi in September this year.

"We have no doubt the Indian tour to Pakistan this September will take place as scheduled and we are going ahead with the preparations for the grand event," ACC general secretary Zakir Hussain Sayeed said.

Sayeed said both the Pakistan Cricket Board and ACC are confident the Indian team will come as per the commitment made by BCCI president A C Muthiah at the ACC General Council meeting at Lahore late last month.

"We are fairly certain about the visit as the Indian government's letter to the BCCI, which was shown to us in the ACC meeting, clearly said India could play against Pakistan in all multilateral tournaments," Sayeed said.

The Indian team's visit to Pakistan, the first in 12 years, came under a cloud after Sports Minister Uma Bharti questioned the BCCI for committing itself for the Test without prior government consent.

As per the schedule announced by the ACC, India is to play the Asian Test championship match against Pakistan from September 13 to 17 in Karachi.

Both Sayeed and PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, who is also ACC chairman, will step down from the their posts in the continental body and hand over the reigns to Bangladesh at the forthcoming ACC AGM, scheduled to take place in London on June 20.

Prior to the AGM, the Asian Cricket Foundation will meet on June 16 in London to finalise its development programme, he said.

The ACC office-bearers are elected on rotation basis. Sri Lanka held the post first after its formation, followed by Pakistan.

Sayeed said the ACC has made considerable progress in developing a special identity for the region by securing $6.5 million aid from ICC to develop cricket in 11 countries in Asia.

Besides initiating development programmes, the ACC conducted the Asian Cricket championship and Asia Cup limited overs matches.

The highlight of the forthcoming ACC meeting would be the finalisation of the new constitution which has been prepared to synchronise with the constitution of ICC, Sayeed said.

Mail Cricket Editor