July 24  
PCB not worried over Kenyan cricket chaos

KARACHI: Pakistan on Tuesday said it was not worried by cricket chaos in Kenya, the venue for a tri-series with Australia next month, after the government dissolved the country's sporting body. "We are not worried over reports coming from Kenya and we are dealing with Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) and for us the tri-series is on," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director Chishty Mujahid said.

The tri-series, rescheduled for August 29-September 7, appeared to be serious doubt amid controversy surrounding the KCA which is responsible for managing cricket in Kenya. Kenyan Sports Minister Francis Nyenze had advised the PCB, through the Pakistan High Commission in Nairobi, that it would not be possible to stage the event in Kenya since the KCA was no longer recognised by the government. Nyenze dissolved the entire KCA executive in May and appointed a caretaker committee to run the sport for a period of three months.

But, the KCA obtained a court injunction against the minister's intervention, claiming their eligibility as the rightly-elected body. The move was supported by the sports governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), which said it would abide by the court ruling. "As the ICC accepts the Kenyan Cricket Association, we will also deal with them and have nothing to worry because they have confirmed participation and hosting of the event," Mujahid said. "We knew the problems were going on for some time in Kenyan cricket but we have assurances and that's why we are hopeful."