Pepsi to sponsor DRS for Pakistan series

by Mad max Tue 11 Oct 2011, 11:01 pm

The PCB has announced that the DRS will be used for Pakistan's series against Sri Lanka that starts later this month and for their one-day series against England early next year, and that Pepsi will be sponsoring the system, making them the first board to have a sponsor associated with the review system. The version of the DRS Pakistan will be using includes ball-tracking technology provided by Hawk-Eye.

"PCB is pleased to be taking a leading role in the use of ICC-recommended technologies for international cricket," Subhan Ahmad, the PCB's chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We hope that other partner boards will follow the example of the PCB and use the umpire [decision] review system in their respective future series. The use of the UDRS will bring added value to our forthcoming series. We thank our sponsors Pepsi for once again supporting Pakistan cricket and the PCB in its many endeavours."

Pakistan's decision to implement the DRS came on the same day the ICC ended the mandatory use of the system and reverted to its pre-June position, by which its use will be subject to bilateral agreements between the participating boards. However, the ICC said it will continue to use support the use of technology and welcomed the PCB's decision.

"We believe that using the Decision Review System will result in getting more umpire decisions correct and we accordingly welcome the PCB's initiatives and that of its sponsors in securing its use in the upcoming series," David Richardson, the ICC's general manager - cricket, said. "The PCB has always led the way in supporting innovation. Its trials of a "pink/orange ball" in day/night conditions during its premier first-class matches is another example. These initiatives are much appreciated."

by Mad max Tue 11 Oct 2011, 11:02 pm

Mohsin Khan, Pakistan's chief selector, will serve as the team's interim coach for the series against Sri Lanka beginning later this month. Mohsin steps in to fill the vacancy created by Waqar Younis' departure after the tour of Zimbabwe as the PCB is in the process of appointing a full-time coach. Ijaz Ahmed will be the team's assistant coach.

The PCB committee tasked with finding the new head coach had shortlisted five names for the position out of a list of thirty-seven applicants. Twelve foreign and 25 local coaches had applied for the job. Those in contention for the top job reportedly include Dean Jones, Dermot Reeve and Aaqib Javed. The committee hadn't finalised on a candidate, though, in time to take over before the Test, ODI and Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka in the UAE.

Mohsin was appointed chief selector in March 2010 and was also involved in the PCB's fast-track coaching program at National Cricket Academy, where he coached batsmen. Colonel Naushad Ali will take charge as associate manager for the Sri Lanka series and the tour of Bangladesh. He will function as manager for the Tests against Sri Lanka, though, in the absence of Naveed Akram Cheema, who will take over as manager for the limited-overs leg. . Cheema, a PCB governing board member and also the managing director of WAPDA, was appointed manger for the Zimbabwe series, replacing Intikhab Alam.

The Pakistan squad will assemble in Lahore for a pre-series camp between November 10 and 13.