JOIN USThe PCB was taken to task by the ICC for the statement made by Shah which prompted the Board to send a notice asking him to explain on what basis he made the statement. Shah, who heads the Karachi City Cricket Association, had alleged that the Indian lobby was responsible for influencing the umpiring mistakes in the semifinal that cost Pakistan the match. He had raised doubts over some of the decisions by Australian umpire Simon Taufel.
"I have sent a four line reply to the board today that the chief operating officer Wasim Bari is not authorised to ask any explanation from me," Shah said yesterday. "I have said in my letter that the governing council appoints the chief operating officer so he cannot issue notices to any member. Only the Chairman is authorised to seek any explanation from me," he added.
Shah said he had his reasons for making the statement and he would only explain them to PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt. Shah is likely to be grilled for his statement at a meeting of the Governing council on October 19.