KARACHI, June 22: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be making an official request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for renovating stadiums for the 2011 World Cup.

“The PCB would be seeking special ICC grant for uplift of the stadiums across Pakistan,” Dr Nasim told reporters at the National Stadium on Friday after inaugurating the KCCA Inter-zonal Under-17 championship.

“We would be looking for the same kind of assistance from the ICC they provided to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) during the 2007 World Cup,” he said, adding, “The PCB cannot single-handedly afford such massive amounts for upgrading its stadiums.”

Dispelling the impression that a massive fund of Rs80 million has been allocated for improving the facilities and infrastructure for the ICC Champions Trophy, the PCB chief said of the Rs900 million approved budget, Rs500 million have been allocated for the National Stadium, Rs250 million for the Gaddafi Stadium and Rs150 million for the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

“The PCB believes in complete transparency in all the areas including the money allocated for improving the (stadium) facilities,” Dr Nasim stated.

Answering a question regarding the timeframe for the appointment of Pakistan coach, he said the decision would be taken by July 1.

“After considering various aspects and the consent of Shoaib Malik and that of the players, the PCB ad hoc committee will decide about the coach’s appointment.”

Negating the impression that Dav Whatmore, former coach of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, had been in contact with the PCB and that he had sent his CV to the board, Dr Nasim said as Whatmore was under contract with Bangladesh till May 31, 2007 he did not made it official.

The PCB chief also denied that former Australian pacer Geoff Lawson had requested for any kind of special security if appointed as Pakistan coach.

Commenting on replacing Mohammad Asif by Salman Butt as the vice-captain after just one series, he said there was no pressure from the ICC due to Asif’s doping case.

Dr Nasim said discipline and fitness were the board’s top priorities for the players. However, when asked why Younis Khan violated the discipline by preferring to play country cricket rather than representing his country, the PCB chairman said Younis as well as Danish Kaneria took permission from the PCB to play in England.

Dr Nasim, who is due to leave for London to attend the ICC annual general and board meeting, said he would meet the officials of various countries on the sidelines of the moot.

On the subject of the role of associations and departments in Pakistan cricket Dr Nasim said the PCB would take along both associations and departmental teams on the national circuit.

“Eleven regional and nine departmental teams will be playing together in the domestic circuit,” he said.

He added for the betterment of cricket, the PCB would welcome all kinds of suggestions and support from former Test cricketers and constructive criticism from the media.

About the PCB constitution he said its implementation had been delayed due to various reasons however assured that as soon it was approved by the law ministry it would be implemented.—APP