ICC chief tries to broker Pakistan deal

LONDON: International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed is set to arrive in London on Friday as the crisis surrounding Pakistan's tour of England escalates.   

In the latest twist to what is fast becoming one of cricket's great controversies, the England and Wales (ECB) announced late on Thursday that they had made contingency plans to play against an International XI should Pakistan pull out of Monday's Twenty20 international.   

The ECB has also held talks with other countries to fulfil the five forthcoming one-day internationals should Pakistan withdraw over the rumpus caused by the final Test ball-tampering row.   

This was despite earlier assurances from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan that his side would go ahead with those matches. Cancelling the one-dayers would cost the ECB an estimated 10 million pounds.  

Pakistan threatened to boycott the remainder of their tour if captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was banned as a result of charges of ball-tampering and bringing cricket into disrepute following their forfeiture of the fourth and final Test against England at The Oval on Sunday.   

They are now due to play England in a Twenty20 match at Bristol on Monday before the one-day series proper starts Wednesday in Cardiff.   

The ECB said it had received approval from ICC to approach leading world players to form an international XI to play against England at Bristol on Monday in case of the unlikely eventuality of the England and Pakistan game being unable to proceed.

Pakistan International Twenty20 and the subsequent one-day series will proceed as planned. "However given the current uncertainty concerning the scheduling of the Code of Conduct hearing and imminence of the International Twenty 20 it is prudent to examine all options to provide spectators with guaranteed play on Monday.   

"ECB can also confirm that it has been in discussion with ICC and other full member boards to provide a further contingency plan for the NatWest (one-day) series. These discussions are well advanced, but it is hoped that the Pakistan team will be able to fulfil its commitments."   

The Pro40 match scheduled for Monday between Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan has been brought forward a day to Sunday to allow major players from those clubs, notably New Zealand's Stephen Fleming - to play in the Twenty20.
   
Finding replacements and opponents for the one-dayers is more problematic with England, regardless of the financial implications, desperate to boost their one-day international form in the run-up to next year's World Cup having been thrashed 5-0 at home by Sri Lanka earlier in the season.