August 06, 2007	Monday	Rajab 21, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 5: Though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hopeful of the forthcoming visits by South Africa, Australia ‘A’ and Australia Under-19 teams to Pakistan, it has almost decided to shift the One-day International against the Proteas from Peshawar to Lahore.

“The PCB did not receive any information either from South Africa or Australia showing any intention for the postponement of the tour or showing any kind of concern about security, but the PCB can shift the match from Peshawar because of poor facilities at the Arbab Niaz Stadium,” PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told Dawn on Sunday.

“I am going to Peshawar on Monday to inspect the facilities available at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, after which we will take a final decision in this regard,” he said.

He dispelled the impression that the bomb blasts in the Northern Areas forced the PCB to shift the match.

“Neither Australia nor South Africa gave us any advice or hint to change the venues on security grounds,” he added.

The South Africans are scheduled to start a tour from Sept 26, comprising two Tests and five ODIs. The two teams from Australia are also set to tour Pakistan in September.

Naghmi said all the contracted players would sign the central contract in the next couple of days.

“I was informed by a PCB official that all the players available in Karachi are likely to sign the central contract on Sunday. The central contracts to Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq will be handed over to them in Lahore on Monday, while three players who are currently playing county cricket in England (Younis Khan, Danish Kaneria and Yasir Arafat) will get it through courier by Tuesday,” Naghmi said.

Asked if any player showed reluctance in signing the central contract in the backdrop of any offer from the Indian Cricket League, Naghmi said it was good news that all the players were ready to play for their country and ready to sign the contract.

His reply was in the negative when asked if the PCB had made an improved financial offer to the players after the ICL offer to some Pakistani cricketers.

Naghmi, however, said now the players would earn a bonus on winning every match instead of winning the series. He added that a special win bonus would also be offered to the players for winning any series with a clean sweep.