Pakistan, England officials to meet to resolve dispute

KARACHI, Mar 9 (Reuters) Pakistan and English cricket officials are due to meet this month to resolve a dispute over compensation for lost revenues from last year's Oval test, a PCB official said today.

The England and Wales Cricket Board are demanding 800,000 pounds from their Pakistani counterparts (PCB) after Pakistan forfeited the August match for refusing to take the field after tea on the fourth day to protest ball-tampering allegations.

''The matter has dragged on and we want to resolve this amicably between both boards,'' a PCB official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

''We wouldn't like the matter to go to the disputes resolution committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC).'' Pakistan has offered to play a one-off international this year to make up for the lost revenues.

''We will meet to negotiate and decide on a suitable date for the match. We are also open to what else the ECB has to say,'' the official added.

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was banned for four matches by the ICC for bringing the game into disrepute but was cleared of ball-tampering charges.

REUTERS SAM VC1545