Request turned down

by SA`ADI THAWFEEQ

Report : The Daily News


The Sri Lanka Cricket Board yesterday turned down a request made by the Pakistan cricket authorities to include two replacements for the best of three matches in the Independence Cup finals in India.

Pakistan's request for replacements came ahead of the first of three finals to be played between World Cup champions Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Mohali today.

The second and third (if required) finals are scheduled to be played at Calcutta on May 27 and 28.

Pakistan requested for replacements as there was no stringent rules in the tournament governing that area. However, the organisers decided Pakistan could have replacements if the opposing side did not object to it.

Pakistan did not name the replacements nor whom they wanted replaced, although there were no indications of any injuries to the players in the present team.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and India after losing their opening game to New Zealand, to reach the finals of the tournament without the services of three key bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed and, opening batsman Aamir Sohail, whose ban by the Pak- istan Cricket Board was recently lifted.

Sri Lanka too had a similar run to the finals, losing their opening game to Pakistan and then recovering to beat India and New Zealand.

The final standings at the completion of qualifying round of matches reading under (Played, Won, Lost, Points, Nett Run Rate):

PAKISTAN 2 1 4 +0.29 SRI LANKA 2 1 4 +0.20 INDIA 1 2 2 -0.34


Source: The Daily News

Contributed by CricInfo Management
Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 14:41