Morarka slams Muthiah on ATC statement

Board of Control for Cricket in India vice-president Kamal Morarka on Thursday "disassociated" himself from board president A C Muthiah's statement, that the government's decision not to participate in the Asian Test Cricket Championship was prompted by some statement made by the Asian Cricket Council.

"The government does not take decisions on such flimsy grounds. I completely disassociate myself from Mr Muthiah's statement. I wonder whether the majority of BCCI members would agree with Mr Muthiah's view but I would certainly like to put my dissent on record," Morarkar said.

In a statement to rediff.com, he said: "It is the duty of Asian Cricket Council to conduct the tournament and try to persuade all eligible countries to participate and also indicate their participation within a time frame. It is the duty of BCCI to persuade the government and try its best to restore cricketing ties with Pakistan. However, the final decision in these matters rests with the government, which has to take into view not only the interest of cricket but various other factors, which the government must have done, if the press reports are correct that the decision was taken at the highest level.

"For the BCCI to say that the government has taken the decision out of ire is too simplistic and BCCI should avoid such comments. Of course, Mr Muthiah himself appears to be irked by the Asian Cricket Council, that is another matter.

"I fervently hope that Indo-Pakistan cricketing ties are restored in the not too distant future."

The Union government on Tuesday night decided against allowing the Indian cricket team to tour Pakistan for next month for the four-nation Asian Test Championship, which was to involve India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The decision was taken after a meeting attended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.