"Our suggestion that two neutral umpires should be used (in all one-day internationals) instead of the prevailing one was not accepted by the ICC, but they have allowed Pakistan to use two neutral umpires for our England series," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters.

Currently two neutral umpires officiate in Test matches while one umpire from the home country stands with a neutral umpire in one-day internationals. England are due to tour Pakistan from October 26 to December 21 to play three Tests and five one-day internationals.

The PCB hopes that a similar arrangement, with two neutral umpires, will be agreed for their home series against India early next year.

The ICC rejected Pakistan's proposal for two neutral umpires in all one-day internationals, saying it would deny home umpires useful experience.

Pakistan initiated the practice of neutral umpires by appointing two Indian umpires in the second and third Test of their 1986 home Test series against the West Indies.

Ultimately, the ICC introduced an Elite Panel of umpires and referees in April 2002 to ensure the highest possible standards and guarantee impartiality. Early this year, Pakistan appealed to the ICC for two neutral umpires after they complained of poor umpiring in a tri-series in Australia.

All the one-day internationals against England, to be played under lights, will start early to avoid dew in the winter season. A full day's play in a Test will be restricted to 83 overs instead of the prevailing 90 due to shorter days.

England will play two three-day warm-up matches before the first Test in Multan, followed by Tests in Faisalabad and Lahore.

Lahore will host the first two one-dayers, while the third will be held in Karachi and the last two at Rawalpindi.

Khan said probables for the Pakistan team will play three four-day warm-up matches to prepare for the England series.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)