October 25, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 1, 1427

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KARACHI, Oct 24: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have asked its auditors to look into the number of holidays taken by foreign coach, Bob Woolmer, since his appointment in June 2004, sources in PCB disclosed on Tuesday.

Woolmer, who was brought in for the high-profile post by former PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan, has tended to utilize many of those days when Pakistan has had no international commitments for his private vacations.

There have been occasions when he has taken vacations in between two series and even joined training camps quite late.

"Under the contract that he signed, he is allowed around 40 days of paid vacations with air tickets for his family as well. But he apparently has taken more holidays than those allowed to him in his contract due to his close relationship with Shaharyar and even captain Inzamam-ul-Haq," sources said.

This year Woolmer went off to a coaching stint to Dubai after informing Inzamam while on some occasions he has taken unplanned vacations with clearance directly from Shaharyar.

"The auditors who are holding a complete inquiry into the affairs of the board and whose report will also go to the PBC patron-in-chief, President Pervez Musharraf, have already pointed out violations of the contract by the coach," a source stated.

According to team sources, Woolmer in his report after the England tour had heaped praise on Shaharyar but questioned the utility of Pakistani physiotherapist, Eric Johnson.

The former England player also described Haroon Rasheed as the best manager he has worked with but didn't have many complimentary things to say about Zaheer Abbas who was manager for the tours of Sri Lanka and England this year, sources said.

Woolmer, apparently, has also indicated to the board that while he has tried his best to remove deficiencies in the team, few players remain arrogant and donot follow his advice which leads to problems.

Woolmer's contract is till the World Cup 2007 in the West Indies and chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf categorically stated last week that he didn't see any across the board changes in the team or the team management because the mega event was just round the corner.