SA team manager alleges security lapse

DHARAMSALA, September 19: South Africa A cricket team manager Mustafa Khan on Wednesday blasted the Indian security arrangements for laxity, claiming his travellers cheques worth $2800 were stolen from his bag at Pathankot airport.
Mustafa said the incident occurred when the South African team's flight, en route to Dharamsala ahead of their second and final four-day match against India A, was made to land at Pathankot due to some technical problem.
"It was a long wait under the bright sun, so the team members were asked to come out of the small air plane. But Werner Coetsee returned to get his laptop computer which he had left behind and saw people going in and coming out without any restriction.
"Any Tom, Dick and Harry was allowed to go in and out and police said no one went inside the plane. But the fact is that my cheques were stolen from my bag," said Mustafa.
"Is this the kind of security you provide to an international team?" he fumed.
However, Mustafa's claim could not be verified.
IT'S OFFICIAL: While the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) was busy making last minute arrangements for the second and final cricket match between India A and their South African counterparts here, unavailability of a BCCI-appointed match referee added to their troubles.
During the umpires and referees meeting in the evening, the HPCA realised that match referee Ram Babu Gupta had not arrived and conveyed it to the BCCI, who then named HPCA Joint Secretary Prem Thakur as the replacement.
"He did not send any message to the BCCI till last evening so we understand he would remain unavailable for the match," BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.
When contacted at the former international umpire's residence, his family said that he was out of the country.
TIPS ON TOES: South Africa A team coach Berney Mohammad gave tips to some Himachal Pradesh cricketers, who assisted them during their practice session on the match eve.
He suggested the fast bowlers to maintain right foot positioning while bowling and praised the spinners.
"They are good players with a lot of potential," said Mohammad.
DELAYED START: Although the weather was perfect with sunny days, showers on the eve of the match, left the field wet and the start was delayed.
"At present the weather is good but it had rained for 20 days earlier due to which the outfield is having a lot of moisture. But we are mopping it up for tomorrow," HPCA President Anurag Thakur had said on Tuesday.
But evening showers seem to have made matters worse.