KARACHI, Jan 28: Even before the first ball in the final cricket Test between Pakistan and India yet to be bowled, confusion prevailed on Saturday regarding the starting time.

Until a PCB official announced at the media briefing, the third Test was scheduled to get under way at 9.45am as per the playing conditions agreed for the ongoing series.

For undefined reasons, the PCB declared that unlike the first two Tests the Karachi Test would begin at 10.00am and each session would last two hours with a provision of play being extended in the final session to complete the day’s quota of 90 overs.

In normal circumstances, a Test here traditionally starts at the appointed time of 10.00am since the prevailing conditions ensure a full day’s play at this time of the year. Unless the weather intervenes, a rare occurrence, a full day’s play is virtually guaranteed.  

But unnecessary fuss was created for which the PCB has to be blamed for taking so long to make the announcement.

In fact, officials of both teams had to speak to Simon Taufel before the confusion was cleared.

Taufel, who is to stand in the final Test with his Australian colleague on the ICC’s elite panel of umpires Daryl Harper, was quoted as saying:

“It is the prerogative of the home board to decide the starting time. There is nothing else we could do about it or interfere.”

Taufel, however, further added that it would have been suitable if the Karachi Test began 15 minutes earlier than rescheduled.

“Why wait until the end to complete the quota of 90 overs to be bowled,” he questioned. Rival coaches Bob Woolmer of Pakistan and India’s Greg Chappell, however, had no objection when the PCB approached them to get their views on the matter.