Board seek clearance for tour

KANPUR // The Indian cricket board have sought security clearance from their government for next year's tour of Pakistan, their president said today. "We have asked for government clearance and will decide once it comes," the Board of Control for Cricket in India president Shashank Manohar said. "The paramount concern is security. Till the time we get the clearance there is no question (of confirming the tour)."

India are scheduled to tour Pakistan from Jan 13-Feb 19, playing three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international. However, there are player safety concerns following a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistan in the past few months. Meanwhile, the PCB hit back at their former COO Shafqat Naghmi who revealed that Mohammed Asif was carrying opium which led to his detention at Dubai International Airport. Naghmi opened a fresh controversy by revealing contents of an inquiry report which he claimed the PCB had received from authorities in the UAE.

The PCB responded by branding Naghmi's revelations "irresponsible", adding that they are yet to receive the details of the findings. Asif was detained for questioning at the airport for 19 days in June after authorities found a small quantity of a powder in his wallet. The fast bowler, 25, was deported to Pakistan without any formal charges made. The PCB formed a three-member committee headed by Naghmi to investigate the issue. But Naghmi was transferred out of the PCB after Ijaz Butt was appointed the chairman. "If the PCB just send me a letter to submit our findings on Asif's case, I will do so," he said.

* Agencies