05 February 2004	Thursday	13 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Feb 4: The chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday that Peshawar was unlikely to host a Test or a One-day International match during India's ground-breaking tour of Pakistan next month tour due to lack of international standard facilities and security arrangements.

During a meet-the-press programme organised by the Sarhad Sports Writers Association at the Peshawar Press Club, Shaharyar M. Khan, the PCB chairman, stated that the Arbab Niaz Stadium lacked adequate facilities for the players and given the current security plans, it would be difficult for the PCB to organise important matches. However, he added, that the PCB would make a final decision only after the visit of the Indian security team.

Mr Khan said if the Indian security team was satisfied with the arrangements in Peshawar, the PCB may still organise a match here.

He pledged that the PCB would promote regional cricket and in future the teams of various cities would be provided an opportunity to participate in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

The Governor of NWFP, Iftikhar Hussain Shah, had given assurance to improve the facilities required, according tothe standards set by the International Cricket Council, during the upcoming series with India.

The PCB chief, who called on Mr Shah at the Governor's House to discuss ways and means for promoting cricket in the province and the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata), reiterated that arrangements for such matches at Peshawar in the past were quite satisfactory and hoped that improved arrangements would also be made for the coming matches.