Don't Count Your Chickens, Pakistan

Pakistan - an adamant bunch.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is refusing to comment on the current state of negotiation regarding proposals that it hosts a limited-overs series in September in lieu of the Champions Trophy tournament, which has been postponed amid security fears in Pakistan.

The last minute decision to pull the plug on the unpopular event has left not only a gaping month-long interval in the international calendar, but also a loss in revenue for the various stakeholders.

Although it was widely expected that all of the other non-Asian cricket teams would follow suit, it was the South African team who were the first to take a decisive stand and pull out of the controversial tourney. It is therefore no surprise that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is desperately asking South Africa to host a replacement tournament.

CSA refused to comment after PCB chief operating officer, Shafqat Naghmi, announced on Thursday that "Cricket South Africa are finalising plans for a tri-series for us." On Friday it was announced by the PCB that Sri Lanka (who were expected to be the third side in the triangular tournament) will not be participating and instead that "We are finalising TV rights, sponsorship deals etc. for the tour which would be sent to Cricket South Africa."

So the new deal on the table is a bilateral series between the Proteas and Pakistan to be played in mid September somewhere in South Africa. The PCB sounds adamant that it will happen. COO Naghmi said on Friday: "It is a race against time as the tour has been finalised at a very short notice."

So, the PCB think the deal is in the bag. Pakistan cricket needs the money and the game-time and the CSA must surely feel obliged to agree after pulling out of Pakistan. Indeed the CSA and the players will also enjoy good revenue from such a series (the old Asian television rights dough) and the Proteas are without any fixtures for nearly two months before they play Kenya and then Bangladesh.

But the South African players are tired after three consecutive away tours. They are desperate to get home for a break, especially after a humiliating and demoralising ODI thrashing by England. Furthermore captain Graeme Smith could be out for some time with that tennis elbow injury.

The proposed tournament is expected to start just two weeks after South Africa return home in early September and word from inside the camp is that they are not up for it.

I have heard a rumour that the Proteas coach, Mickey Arthur, does not want this tournament to happen - the big thing in his sights is winning away in Australia at the end of the year.

The Times of London this week reported that Arthur has been targeted for a high profile and very well paid job as the managing director of cricket for Middlesex (Lord's). The CSA do not want to lose the successful coach. I understand Smith has flown home early - to get involved in these last minute talks perhaps?

Nick Sadleir