Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf said Friday that visa problems may prevent him being at next week's first Test between India and England after it was relocated following the Mumbai attacks. Rauf said his Mumbai visa would not allow him to travel to Chennai, where the match is now scheduled to be held, and the Indian High Commission was closed for the Eid celebrations. “I did have a visa for Mumbai, where the Test was to be played, but now the Test has been relocated to Chennai and since the Indian High Commission is closed for the next five days I will be unable to officiate in the first Test,” Rauf said. The England players are currently in Abu Dhabi and will take a final decision on the fate of the two Test series after getting a security report on Sunday. The first Test is due to start on Dec. 11 and Rauf, 52, said he hoped to get a visa for the second, which starts in Mohali on Dec. 19. Rauf said it was important for Pakistani cricket officials to go to India as “peace officials.” “I have no concerns at all about travelling to India. I am happy to be going there. In fact, it is important to go there because we go as peace ambassadors.” The squad, which also includes nine players from England's Performance Squad, arrived in the UAE capital early Friday morning and then had a three-hour light practice session at Zayed Cricket Stadium in the afternoon. A full day of practice is scheduled for Saturday, followed by a friendly match between the players Sunday. England and Wales Cricket Board security manager Reg Dickason and Sean Morris, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers Association, are currently in Chennai and are expected to inspect the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Dec. 8. “We have to believe that we are playing two Test matches against India,” England batsman Paul Collingwood said. Asif breaks down Pakistan's Mohammad Asif, who is suspended for a doping offense, broke down in tears on national television and apologized to the nation for his unreasonable behavior. Asif, appearing on a talk show on the “Geo Super” sports channel on Friday, admitted he had shamed himself and let down his supporters and Pakistan cricket. “My behavior has not been perfect and I have made mistake after mistake. I am sorry for that to the nation,” said Asif who also faces disciplinary action for spending 19 days in detention in Dubai for possession of a banned substance.
