Bangladesh series: Local umpires could officiate in Pakistan
Committee agrees to recommend non-neutrals in case of security concerns.
KARACHI:
As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) awaits a final confirmation from its Bangladesh counterparts on hosting a proposed series between the two countries, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Chief Executives Committee (CEC) has agreed to approve non-neutral match officials in case of security apprehensions.
A breakthrough in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan occurred when the Bangladesh delegation expressed satisfaction with security arrangements ahead of the proposed tour. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that it would take approval from the government, besides writing to the ICC before confirming the tour.
The proposed tour was discussed in the ICC’s CEC meeting in Dubai, which noted that the tour’s fate was not in the governing body’s domain and was up to the participating countries to decide. “The ICC’s role is limited to considering the safety and security of officials after a tour has been confirmed and a security plan produced,” read a statement.
In addition, the CEC noted that if both countries agreed but the ICC found it unsafe to send its match officials for the series, then “a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.”
While the CEC agreed to recommend non-neutral match officials, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the likely dispensation should not be considered as a precedent.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.
As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) awaits a final confirmation from its Bangladesh counterparts on hosting a proposed series between the two countries, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Chief Executives Committee (CEC) has agreed to approve non-neutral match officials in case of security apprehensions.
A breakthrough in the revival of international cricket in Pakistan occurred when the Bangladesh delegation expressed satisfaction with security arrangements ahead of the proposed tour. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that it would take approval from the government, besides writing to the ICC before confirming the tour.
The proposed tour was discussed in the ICC’s CEC meeting in Dubai, which noted that the tour’s fate was not in the governing body’s domain and was up to the participating countries to decide. “The ICC’s role is limited to considering the safety and security of officials after a tour has been confirmed and a security plan produced,” read a statement.
In addition, the CEC noted that if both countries agreed but the ICC found it unsafe to send its match officials for the series, then “a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.”
While the CEC agreed to recommend non-neutral match officials, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the likely dispensation should not be considered as a precedent.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.