Pakistan suspends cricketers' contract after cup debacle

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Saturday announced several major decisions after the team's World Cup debacle, including suspension of the existing central contracts of the players and appointment of a committee to investigate the team's performance.

"All players' contracts stand suspended," PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf announced at a press conference here. He said that "performance-based contracts" would be introduced soon.

Asharf, who himself resigned following the World Cup disaster before PCB Patron and the country's President Pervez Musharraf asked him to continue, said that the new captain and the coach would be named later.

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq had announced his resignation in the West Indies while coach Bob Woolmer was killed under mysterious circumstances after Pakistan had crashed out in the first round of the tournament.

Pakistan was ousted after losing two of the three matches, including the shocking defeat by minnows Ireland.

Woolmer was murdered March 18, a day after the defeat to Ireland, amid allegations of match-fixing and betting behind Pakistan's ouster and his death.

Ashraf announced the formation of a Performance Evaluation Committee to look into the causes of the World Cup defeats. The committee will comprise former Test players Ejaz Ahmed, Salahuddin Ahmed and Salim Altaf, and it has been asked to submit its report within 30 days. He said the findings would be released publicly.

Ashraf also said that Rs.1 billion ($16.6 million) would be spent to develop cricket stadiums across the country.

Inzamam, who also addressed the media for the first time after returning home, accepted full responsibility for the World Cup disaster. He also apologised to the nation, but blamed the Pakistani media for continuously heckling his team.

"I admit responsibility of the defeats in the World Cup, and beg pardon from the nation for the debacle," he said. (IANS)

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