'Appropriate response' to Bharti's statement soon: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board said it would respond shortly to Union Sports Minister Uma Bharti's statement that India would play Pakistan only in multinational tournaments. Talking to PTI over phone from Lahore on Monday, PCB's Director Operations Brig. Munawar Rana said "We are considering an appropriate response." Rana added that "Bharti's statement had been taken note of by PCB which would react soon after consultations with the Government."

PCB has been keenly following the recent statements both by the BCCI and the Sports Minister over evolving a coherent policy towards playing Pakistan in bilateral, multinational as well as sponsored tournaments in Sharjah and Toronto. The Pakistan media recently had also given extensive coverage to former BCCI chief Raj Singh Dungarpur's statement criticising the government's decision not to send its team to Sharjah.

India yet to confirm participation in indoor ODI matches: ACB

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday said in Melbourne that they are yet to receive confirmation from the BCCI to play an indoor one-day series in August as the Indians have a hectic schedule ahead of them this year. An ACB spokesman said "A number of things need to be sorted out ... we're still waiting to confirm the opposition."

History was made when Australia played South Africa in the Super Challenge series last August at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium, the venue for the first official indoor international cricket match. The three-game series ended in a 1-1 draw, after the second match finished in a tie.

MCA accepts Wadekar's resignation

The Mumbai Cricket Association executive committee on Sunday accepted the resignation of Ajit Wadekar as the chairman of the selection committee. MCA's joint secretary Prof. Ratnakar Shetty said in Mumbai that "Wadekar's resignation has been accepted and the selection panel along with its chairman for the next season will be named at the end of next month."

Shetty said Wadekar had not given any reason for his resignation. "It was a simply worded letter asking us to relieve him as the chairman of the selection committee".

When contacted by PTI, the former Indian captain and coach said the reason behind the decision was the poor performance of the state side in this season's edition of the Ranji Trophy tournament.

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