31 August 2004	Tuesday	14 Rajab 1425

KARACHI, Aug 30: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has distanced itself from an outburst directed by its chief selector Wasim Bari at veteran English umpire David Shepherd.

Former Test captain Bari lashed out at the 63-year-old Shepherd, blaming him for two contentious decisions in the final of a triangular tournament that Pakistan lost to world champions Australia in the Netherlands last week.

Bari, who played 81 Tests and 51 One-day Internationals for Pakistan, said Shepherd was too old and needed to be replaced on the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s elite panel of umpires.

"We have no comment to offer on this issue. Whatever Bari has said are his personal views and don't reflect that of the board," a PCB spokesman said on Monday. Cricket boards representing ICC member countries, their officials and players are not allowed to comment publicly about umpires, or any umpiring decision, under the ICC code of conduct.

Bari, however, said he had spoken out on behalf of cricket fans in general. "I don't think I said anything different from what people are talking about after the final," he said. Australia beat Pakistan by 17 runs in the final of the tournament played in Amstelveen that also featured India.

PCB sources said the board had spoken to Bari about his outburst, reminding him to refrain from commenting on umpiring issues in the future. Shepherd is one of the most experienced umpires in the game, having stood in 82 Tests and 159 One-day Internationals since 1983. -Reuters