KARACHI, February 8: India A manager Surinder Khanna defended the Indian Cricket Board's (BCCI) decision not to play after a rest day was forced on the team, but refused to be drawn into any controversy over the issue.``My players are looking forward to playing the series against Pakistan A later this month,'' the former India wicket-keeper told reporters after the Indian team decided not to resume play on Friday.
The BCCI had directed that India A boycott play on Friday to protest the Pakistan board's decision to declare Thursday -- the scheduled third and final day of the match against Karachi Cricket Association XI -- as a rest day because Pakistan was observing the so-called solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Khanna said he had carried out BCCI instructions. ``I am expected to do what is advised by my board,'' he added. Final day's play was abandoned an hour before lunch as a draw.
The Indian players, however, went through a long nets and fielding session in the presence of coachKrishnamachari Srikkanth, who joined the team after arriving from Mumbai with all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi on Thursday night.
A PCB spokesman meanwhile announced that the match was called off after India A refused to play on Friday and said what had happened was unfortunate.``However the two boards are in touch and the rest of the tour will go on,'' he added.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
