Cricket: Militants ransack Indian Board

THE HEADQUARTERS of the Board of Control for Cricket in India was ransacked by a mob yesterday, in an apparent attempt by Hindu militants to sabotage Pakistan's scheduled tour to India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Khalid Mahmood, and the team's captain, Wasim Akram, voiced concern over the latest acts of violence.

"The families of all the players are really concerned, and my father- in-law called me to tell me about the latest episode," Wasim said in Lahore.

Dozens of activists manhandled a cricket official and smashed furniture in the Bombay office. The protesters also damaged several trophies, including the 1983 World Cup, won by India.

In Calcutta, police also arrested 25 activists as they tried to march to the home of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the International Cricket Association, demanding cancellation of the series.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in Bombay, but right- wing Hindus, led by the Shiv Sena party that is in power in the western state of Maharashtra, have said they will not stop Pakistan playing in India, claiming that Islamabad is behind a Muslim uprising in the disputed state of Kashmir.

The tour would be the first of India by Pakistan's national team in 11 years. The first Test is scheduled to start in Madras on 28 January.

Worcestershire could be ready to offer Dominic Cork a contract if the England all-rounder decides to leave Derbyshire. The New Road club have expressed an interest in Cork - who has said that he is ready to leave the County Ground after a power struggle involving officials - and are also monitoring Angus Fraser's situation at Middlesex.

The rain that is following England A during their stay in Harare returned yesterday to ruin their hopes of a second successive win, this time against the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy.

The tourists had recovered from a poor start and were in a potentially winning position when a downpour, accompanied by a violent thunderstorm, forced the abandonment of the match without a result.