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PAKISTAN have welcomed the decision to use two neutral umpires in the triangular Test championship which starts next week.

Wasim Akram, the Pakistan captain, said: ``Having two neutral umpires will do away with allegations of bias. Nothing much will be read into genuine umpiring errors. It's a positive move and should be enforced for all Test matches.''

Indian umpire A V Jayaprakash was heavily criticised by Indian and Pakistani critics for three dubious decisions during leg-spinner Anil Kumble's 10-wicket haul in Pakistan's second innings of the Delhi Test on Sunday. The win enabled India to square the two-Test series, Pakistan's first on Indian soil in 12 years.

West Indian Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen, of South Africa, will stand in the opening match of the championship between India and Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta from Feb 16. Sri Lanka are the third side involved.

Medium-pacer Laxmi Ratan Shukla, 17, enhanced his prospects of a Test debut next week by taking three Pakistan wickets for the Indian Board Prtesident's XI on the opening day of a three-day tour match.