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Reid opts out of Pakistan-Lanka series

John Reid will not stand as match referee for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series in February-March as announced earlier.

One would think that that's because the Pakistanis have had their way following their protest over the New Zealander's appointment, after it was found he had sent a video clipping of paceman Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action for analysis to the International Cricket Council. But it's not so.

The ICC in a statement yesterday said: "John Reid was invited by the ICC to referee the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan early next year. After the appointment was made in late November, Mr Reid was notified of a very important engagement in Auckland that required his attendance. The date of the engagement coincided with the one-day internationals in Pakistan and as Mr Reid was unable to make himself available for the duration of the series, ICC withdrew his nomination in early December.

"This decision was taken by ICC prior to any communication from Pakistan on the suitability of Mr Reid."

Agencies