Rain may jeopardise chances of Pakistan, UAE match
From Ilyas Beg
LAHORE, Feb 23: Incessant rain, which started at 1-00 pm and continued till 7-00 pm at Gujranwala, has jeopardised chances of holding Pakistan`s first match in Group B of the Sixth World Cup Cricket Tournament against Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) at the Jinnah Stadium on Saturday.
According to information received from the correspondent of DAWN in Gujranwala dark clouds were hovering over that city at the time of filing this report late on Friday night. The possibility of more late-night showers or early Saturday morning rain could not be ruled out.
The final decision, however, will be taken by referee and the two umpires of the match after inspecting the pitch and the ground on Saturday at 8-00 am.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Arif Abbasi told this correspondent in an exclusive interview at the Qadhafi Stadium on Friday afternoon that he had acquired a helicopter by requesting the Chief Of Air Staff (COAS), Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khan to dry out the Jinnah Stadium ground. He said: "If there was no rain in the morning, the possibility of holding the Pakistan vs. Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) match on Saturday cannot be rules out. Proper covers had saved the square at the Jinnah Stadium and the helicopter specially procured from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) can dry out the wet spots in the ground."
While replying to a question, Abbasi said his main worry was that the match must be held, preferably on Saturday and if not possible, then on Sunday and the Pakistan team must be able to put up a big total to have good run-rate which could take it to the top spot in Group B. That would not only be morale-boosting but also help the defending World Champions to play its quarter-final on the home ground and before the home crowds.
While talking to DAWN in Lahore before leaving for Gujranwala to have first-hand knowledge of the ground and pitch, Manager Intikhab Alam said that both the teams would travel to that city on Saturday. They would also be announced on morning of the match. Former Test all-rounder looked worried about the climatic condition in Punjab and the sudden burst of clouds. More rain will not only threaten the holding of the first match of Pakistan cricket team in Group B of the Sixth World Cup Cricket Tournament against ECB XI at Gujranwala but can also create problems in connection with holding of the second match against Holland at the Qadhafi Stadium on Feb 26 (Monday).
Rain also started at Lahore on Friday morning and continued till the evening. At the time of filing this report, it had stopped raining but the sky was overcast.
Gujranwala Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Javed Sarwar said that as a precautionary measure the square of the Jinnah Stadium and better part of the outfield had been covered. He assured the cricketlovers that every effort would be made to dry out the venue of the match as early as possible. For the citizens of Gujranwala, it was a momentous occasion and they want to enjoy the game being threatened by vagaries of weather and elements beyond anybody`s control.