BCCI gave assurance on playing Pak

Asian Cricket Foundation chief Jagmohan Dalmiya clarified on Wednesday that a regional Test championship was finalised last week only after the Indian board said its team would play Pakistan.

Indian board officials had submitted a letter to the Asian Cricket Council from its government saying India could play against Pakistan, said Dalmiya. ACF implements the ACC's programmes.

His clarification comes two days after Sports Minister Uma Bharti criticised the board for giving its commitment to the ACC that Indian team would play an Asian Test championship game against Pakistan.

Bharti said the board should not have given its assurance without consulting the government.

Indian officials had said their team would travel to Karachi, the likely venue, to play an Asian Test championship game against Pakistan this September.

"The government of India had clarified that as per its general policy, India could continue to play against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments at regular venues, including India and Pakistan," Dalmiya said in a statement.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh complete the field for the Asian Test championship.

Dalmiya said ACC's Lahore meeting decided that individual boards would have to compensate the Asian body in case of non-participation. Such an agreement is likely to be finalised by the four cricket boards within two months.

The Indian government cancelled a proposed Test tour of Pakistan late last year and refused permission for the national team to take part in a one-day series in Sharjah last month involving Pakistan.

Mail Cricket Editor