January 24, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 23, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 23: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has asked all the four Test playing countries of the region to inform it about their availability for the Asia Cup, which will be now held in September this year instead of next year.

Director Cricket Operations, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Saleem Altaf told journalists on Monday that he had received a letter from ACC secretary Ashraful Haq proposing the Asia Cup be held in September this year since Pakistan’s home series against Zimbabwe had been cancelled.

Zimbabwe decided this month not to play Test cricket for a year due to domestic reasons, but continue one-day matches.

Saleem said the PCB contacted the ICC demanding compensation for the cancellation of tour by Zimbabwe. “The ICC has advised that the two boards resolve the matter with mutual understanding and bring the case to it if they fail,” he said.

He said the PCB was considering inviting Zimbabwe to play a triangular series in November, which also involved the West Indies. The Windies are scheduled to visit Pakistan in November to play three Tests and five ODIs.

The Asia Cup had been allotted to Pakistan and was to be held in March but was deferred for next year when India showed its unavailability due to hectic activities.

Saleem, who pleaded medium-pacer Shabbir Ahmed’s case before ICC said the PCB would make some suggestions to the international body to modify the rules under which the bowler had been suspended.

He said since Shabbir’s case was the first under new rules applied by the ICC in March this year there was a need to improve them. The PCB’s representative in the ICC cricket committee, Majid Khan, former Test opener, would make suggestions in the next meeting of the committee in April.

The ICC on Saturday rejected the PCB’s appeal to review ban on the bowler.