BBC SPORTArabicSpanishRussianChinese
BBCiNEWS  SPORT  WEATHER  WORLD SERVICE  A-Z INDEX   SEARCH 

BBC Sport
 You are in: Cricket 
Sport Front Page
-------------------
Football
Cricket
Statistics
Counties
Scorecards
The Ashes
World Cup
Rugby Union
Rugby League
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
Boxing
Athletics
Other Sports
-------------------
Special Events
-------------------
Sports Talk
-------------------
BBC Pundits
TV & Radio
Question of Sport
-------------------
Photo Galleries
Funny Old Game
-------------------
Around The UK: 
N Ireland
Scotland
Wales

BBC Sport Academy
News image
BBC News
News image
BBC Weather
News image
SERVICES
-------------
LANGUAGES
EDITIONS

Friday, 4 October, 2002, 11:44 GMT 12:44 UK
Mushtaq defends Aussie stance
Australia's Damien Martyn batting against Pakistan
The opening Test is taking place in Sri Lanka
Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has defended Australia's refusal to tour his country for the current Test series.

Amid security fears, Australia's insistence that the three-Test series be played on neutral ground saw the matches moved to Colombo and Sharjah.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), frustrated by losses in revenue, has since asserted that it will no longer entertain 'home' series on foreign soil.

But Mushtaq told BBC Sport Online no team should be forced to tour against their will.

"I am sure Australia made the right decision if they were afraid for their safety," Mushtaq said.

"I don't blame them them at all as nobody wants to take a chance, especially after what happened in Karachi.

"It is up to Pakistan in the future to provide the best security to touring teams can take a look and see that they can play safely in Pakistan."

Mushtaq bowling in a one-day international
Mushtaq is out of favour with Pakistan's selectors

New Zealand cancelled the remainder of their tour following a bomb attack outside the team hotel in Karachi in May - just hours before the second Test was due to start.

In January, the West Indies refused to tour and the Test series went ahead in Sharjah.

The PCB claim they have lost �16m following the cancellation of various tours and claims for compensation have so far been turned down by the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, Mushtaq believes Pakistan selectors made a mistake in not including him in the squad for the Test series.

The 32-year-old, who has not played Test cricket for over two years, feels he is playing the best cricket of his career.

"I was very disappointed not to be picked to play against Australia," said Mushtaq, who will play for Sussex in 2003.

"Right now my cricket is at its peak and I think I have another four or five years if I stay fit.

"I had a great first-class back home in Pakistan where I was the highest wicket-taker.

"I ask the question: what have I done wrong not to get selected for the Test team?

"I wonder what else I have to do, but it is my duty to work really hard and get plenty of wickets."

Spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria won selection over Mushtaq in the squad.

All the reports from the Test match

Day five

Day four

Day three

Day two

Day one

TEST STATS

HAVE YOUR SAY
See also:

04 Oct 02 | Cricket
13 Sep 02 | Counties
06 May 02 | Cricket
Links to more Cricket stories are at the foot of the page.


E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more Cricket stories

© BBC^^ Back to top

Sport Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League |
Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports |
Special Events | Sports Talk | BBC Pundits | TV & Radio | Question of Sport |
Photo Galleries | Funny Old Game | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales