04 August 2004	Wednesday	17 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: Contracts with coach Bob Woolmer, trainer Murray Stevenson and physiotherapist Darryn Lifson have not been signed as yet, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says in a written reply to the Senate Standing Committee on Sports.

Responding to a questionairre handed over to him in the last meeting of the committee held on July 9, Shaharyar M. Khan says that the contracts with the team officials had been agreed in principle.

"Once finalised and signed, copies will be given to the committee; as chairman of the ad hoc committee, the legal authority vests in me," he says in his reply of July.

Woolmer was brought in to replace Javed Miandad who was sacked after Pakistan lost both the Test and one-day series to India at home in March-April. Woolmer then handpicked Stevenson and Lifson.

The complete document submitted by Shaharyar to the senate body was obtained exclusively by Dawn on Tuesday. In his answers, Shahryar has defended Riaz Mahmood, who was appointed as the marketing consultant of the PCB before the Pakistan-India series.

"His appointment was made by me because of his outstanding record as market manager; he is recognised for his integrity and professionalism." Shaharyar tells the committee that the marketing process that Riaz supervised brought PCB "unprecedented income" and earned the board a reputation for professionalism, fair play and transparence.

The senate standing committee is probing the affairs of the PCB and the reasons for what it says was a "humiliating" defeat to India. After having met twice in past months in which the cricket managers were questioned, a third meeting is now scheduled for Aug 10 in Islamabad.

Shaharyar states further that Riaz was paid his professional fee as were Abbas Zaidi (media consultant) and Ahmed Hussain (lawyer). "Both Riaz and Abbas were appointed because there was no time to go through with due process of advertising, short listing and selection before the India tour...their appointment has been vindicated by the results they have achieved."

To a question on his disagreements with chief executive Ramiz Raja, Shaharyar says: "There may be a potential conflict of interest but Ramiz's conduct has not led to an actual conflict of interest."

He tells the senators that Ramiz was a free-lance broadcaster and was not paid a regular salary by Ten Sports or any firm. "He is paid no salary by PCB and works in an honorary capacity".

Shahryar, who took over last December then goes on to defend his advisory panel. "It comprises eminent persons with cricketing background. The Principle Aitchison College has all his life organised youth sport.

Lt. Gen Arif Hasan and Aslam Sanjrani have played first class cricket and Moeen Afzal has played cricket at a respectable level." Meanwhile sources close to the senate committee said that answers to questions put to Ramiz and chief selector Wasim Bari had not been received yet.