Bad weather frustrates Pakistan ahead of India tour opener by AFP

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Ground:	Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharmasala
Player:	Saleem Altaf
Event:	Pakistan in India 2004/05

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DateLine: 1st March 2005

 

Pakistan's touring cricketers were greeted by rain and the prospect of a washout as they arrived in this scenic northern hill resort to kickstart their 50-day tour of India.

 

The tourists, due to take on the Indian board president's team in the three-day tour opener from Thursday, scrapped a scheduled practice session on Tuesday as incessant rain swept the area, better known as the home of Tibet's exiled leader, the Dalai Lama.

 

With bad weather forecast to continue till the weekend, Pakistan's lone practice match ahead of the first of three Tests starting in Mohali on March 8 threatens to be badly curtailed.

 

"We have the best facilities but we are helpless before nature," said Anurag Thakur, president of the host Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, which is organising its first international match.

 

"You can never predict the weather in Himachal Pradesh. Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed."

 

The tourists, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, took an early morning chartered flight on Tuesday to Kangra, the nearest airport to Dharamshala, before an hour-long drive to their hotel.

 

Pakistan manager Saleem Altaf told reporters his team was delighted to spend time in the cool climate of Dharamshala, but hoped the weather would not interfere with the cricket.

 

"We are here to play and do not want to go into the Test series short of match practice," said Altaf. "I wish the rain would go away."

 

Pakistan will play three Tests and six one-day internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999.

 

The board president's team, led by international Mohammad Kaif, comprises young players on the fringe of Test selection.

 

Organisers confirmed the Dalai Lama would not inaugurate the tour opener after reports the Pakistanis were unhappy with his attendance.

 

Media reports on Monday said the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan had told Indian officials Pakistan should not be put in an embarrassing position since it enjoys very good relations with China.

 

A statement from the Tibetan leader's office said the Dalai Lama had decided not to accept the invitation by the organisers.

 

Altaf declined to comment on the controversy, saying "the matter had been discussed and sorted out by the two cricket boards."

 

Dharamshala has hosted the Dalai Lama and his government-in-exile since he fled Tibet in 1959 amid a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)