Ducking bouncers, PCB bowls wrong ’un

Dalmiya’s press conference began at approximately 4-40 IST — a breach of the verbal understanding, says the PCB, which then had to bring forward its own press conference. ‘‘We had agreed that we announce it at a promised time’’, Raja told The Indian Express. ‘‘But the BCCI gave out the details half-an-hour before us. I will certainly speak to Mr Dalmiya about it.’’

On his part, Dalmiya refused to be drawn into the issue, saying it was a controversy being created by the media.

However, the PCB’s argument has one flaw: journalists in India knew as early as Friday evening that Dalmiya would make his announcement at 4-30 p.m. IST the following day, and it is inconceivable Lahore wasn’t in the know.

What is more likely, say Pakistani journalists, is that the PCB underestimated the magnitude of the event. Agha Akbar Khan, sports editor of The Nation in Lahore, said he was forced to rush a reporter to the PCB office at Gaddafi Stadium because of the confusion.

‘‘The whole event was so hurriedly organised, that everything happened at the last minute. The PCB was not aware of Dalmiya’s announcements and when they got to know they sent out invites to one and all. Luckily one of my reporters was around and could attend the briefing.’’

Indeed, Rameez’s statement could simply be a ploy to deflect growing criticism of the PCB’s conceding ground to the BCCI on almost every tour-related issue: choice of venues, sequence of Tests and ODIs, scrapping the 3-day tour match.

‘‘Dalmiya announcing the itinerary is a minor issue’’, says Khan. ‘‘But the whole thing gives me a feeling that that Indians want to show that they are in charge.’’

Others say that it’s basic economics — and the willingness of the Pakistan Government — that forced the PCB to agree to all the changes. ‘‘The PCB has seen crores of rupees in this tour so they will go to any extent to please the BCCI’’, said a senior journalist in Karachi.

What has raised most hackles is the exclusion of Karachi from among the Test venues. ‘‘Karachi is the hub of cricket. Most cricketers come out from the streets of Karachi. How can they not hold a Test here’’, said Amer Soherwadi, chief reporter with the Indus News Network.

Veteran broadcaster Chishty Mujahid, who lives in Karachi, sought to put the security issue in perspective. ‘‘There was a fire in Lahore some days back, but no one paid any attention. If a similar thing were to happen in Karachi the whole thing would have been blown out of proportion.’’

Two things appear certain, though: One, that this isn’t the last “controversy” before the tour begins. And two, when it does begin, the focus will be on the cricket.

As Zaheer Abbbas, who knows a thing or three about these contests, says: ‘‘The most important thing is, India is coming. All this will definitely blow over by the time the series starts. Take my word for it.’’