KARACHI: Where is Test cricketer Saeed Ahmad? His whereabouts have been a mystery since Mian Mohammad Saeed announced in Auckland that the vice-captain of the Pakistan touring team was returning to Karachi as his wife was sick. Saeed has not reached Karachi.

His wife is not even here.

Cricket lovers were taken aback when they came to know that Saeed did not accompany the Pakistan team to New Zealand. He stayed back in Sydney and, according to Mian Saeed, `he was to fly back to Karachi as his wife was sick`.

Personal friends of Saeed Ahmad in Karachi know nothing of his return. In fact, they have been puzzled by Mian Saeed`s statement because, according to them, Saeed`s wife left for Australia on Dec 13 and they saw her off at the airport.

A warning to all players was issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan that they would not be allowed to take their wives with them. The married cricketers signed a contract to this effect. In view of this warning and the subsequent arrival of Saeed`s wife in Australia, it is being asked in cricket circles whether the clue to the case of the missing vice-captain lies in the violation of the contract.