Clarification issued to 'The
News', Karachi
While PCB does not normally indulge
in contradicting every speculative or controversy generating report
or article published in the media, blatant falsehoods and errors of
fact need to be corrected. In the case of the article published in
'The News' (Karachi Edition, December 4, 2004), 'Shoaib wants his contract
amended,' the following facts need to be noted:
(i) Shoaib Akhtar is not defying the
Board by playing in the team without signing the contract. Like any
other player, Shoaib has a right to consult his lawyer and seek clarifications.
He will continue to be a member of the team as is the case with Mohammed
Khalil and Mohammed Asif on the basis of their existing contracts
on playing conditions. It is, therefore, absolutely incorrect to state
that a player cannot tour abroad as no other contract has legal value.
The legal expert quoted in the report is either misinformed or not
aware of the facts.
(ii) At no stage did the PCB state that
Shoaib would sign the contract before leaving as stated in the report.
He can take his time to decide when to sign. It is regretted that
the report patently aims to churn up a controversy when none exists.
With reference to the News report (December
4, 2004), 'PCB accused of hiding facts from Senate body,' quoting
Senator Enver Baig, the facts are as follows:
(i) The delay in the Senate was due
to the Senate, itself, canceling the November 30 meeting at the eleventh
hour.
(ii) All the questionnaires sent by
the Senate Committee have been given written replies.
(iii) The terms of Bob Woolmer, Murray
Stevenson and Darren Lifson contracts have been sent to the Senate
Committee.
Ateeq Abdul Rauf
Management Trainee - Media |
