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Waqar to be bowling coach, Wasim to give tips during India tour

     Karachi: Former Pakistan cricket captain and fast bowler Waqar Younis is all set to take over as his country's bowling coach tomorrow, for the forthcoming India tour. According to The News, the PCB ad-hoc committee has given approval for his appointment. Confirming this, a PCB source said: "PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan has been told to decide after meeting Waqar if the contract should be only for the Indian tour or on a long-term basis." The source further said that Waqar has returned from Australia and PCB Chairman had already spoken to him over telephone in this regard. PCB Media Director Abbas Zaidi was quoted as saying that the process of Waqar's appointment has gone smoothly. "From what I know it was a very good meeting with positive outcome," he said. Meanwhile, another report in the paper said that former fast bowler Wasim Akram would give bowling tips to Pakistan bowlers if he goes to India during the tour beginning Feb 25. "I should know in the next few days if I'll be required to be in India as a commentator for this series. If I'm there I will be available for our bowlers all the time. I'll be happy to pass on them the benefit of my experience," the paper quoted him as saying. He added: "The PCB sent me a letter few weeks ago, offering me fees for helping out the youngsters at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) when I was available; but that's all."

No Pak security officer to accompany team to India (Go To Top)

     Karachi: No security officer will accompany the Pakistan cricket team during the India tour beginning Feb 25, as the visitors are satisfied with the security arrangements made in India, the PCB has said. "They've given us a comprehensive report on the security and other arrangements being made for our team in India, and we are satisfied with them," PCB Director Media Abbas Zaidi said last evening. He said the cricket team management would solely take care of security arrangements while co-ordinating with the BCCI. "The manager and the assistant manager will be in liaison with the Indian board for the security arrangements to be made for our players," The News quoted Zaidi as saying. Completely ruling out the possibility of bringing along a security officer, he said: "No I don't think we have any such plan in mind. The team management going to India is supposed to take care of everything." According to the paper, this decision of the PCB is in total contrast to the one taken by the BCCI when its team toured Pakistan last year. The Indians were accompanied by a high- ranking police officer Yashuvardhan Azad who had also been part of a pre-tour inspection visit to Pakistan, the report added.

New Delhi to issue 10,000 visas for Pak fans (Go To Top)

     Islamabad: India will issue as many as 10,000 visas to Pakistani cricket fans for the upcoming cricket series between the two countries. "We are expecting a huge demand for visas and plan to have special visa camps in Pakistan to issue up to 10,000," The News quoted an unidentified Indian official as telling a foreign news agency. The official added: "We might even allow Pakistanis to obtain special permits and drive in their cars into India to watch the match in Mohali." The Pakistan team is likely to arrive by the month end to play six ODIs and three Tests against India.

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