06 February 2004	Friday	14 Zilhaj 1424

MULTAN, Feb 5: The final itinerary for the forthcoming Indian cricket team's tour to Pakistan and the question whether Multan would get any match would be finalized after completion of visit of three-member Indian delegation arriving on Saturday.

This was stated by chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar M. Khan on Thursday after paying his first-ever visit to Multan Cricket Stadium to look for possibilities to arrange a match of the series there.

"The Indian cricket board delegation would arrive Pakistan on Saturday. Though Indians have expressed no major objections over the tour itinerary already submitted by the PCB. Rather they told us to do whatever suitable, however, the final itinerary would be made public after consulting the Indian delegation", said the PCB chief.

The Indian team would be offered the security even better than what was arranged for the last touring team, Mr. Khan said.

Giving his observations about Multan Cricket Stadium, he said "it is a fantastic playing facility and I am proud of it. It is comparable to any world class stadiums in the different countries I have visited", he said.

However, International Cricket Council (ICC) have some strict rules about a Test venue including ground condition, accommodation and security. Ground of Multan Cricket Stadium is best, security situation is also up to the mark, however, the city does not have a four or five star luxury hotel, he said.

"I wish that the Indian team should start its series from Multan and PCB would talk to them on the matter, however, the final decision would be taken after consulting the Indian board that whether Multan would get any match."

He hoped there would be no match fixing in future given the present strict ICC rules and resolve of PCB to fight it out, if any, among Pakistan players.

When asked about a report by the ICC Anti Corruption Unit regarding alleged involvement of Pakistan players in match fixing during a tournament in Morroco, he said, it was a very old matter. "Firstly I would like to say that it was a matter of leakage of a confidential document which is regrettable. The leakage occurred in Britain and not in Pakistan."

He said, former PCB chairman Tauqir Zia had informed him about a telephonic conversation with the ACU on the matter. He said, PCB would look at the official letter and take appropriate action accordingly in the light of evidence, if any, placed on record by the ACU on the matter. He, however, added that no Pakistan player was under observation these days. -APP