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Pakistan cricket exec bounced from World Cup for casino trip

ISLAMABAD (AP) This was one costly dinner, and it had nothing to do with the check.

Moin Khan is a top cricket executive in Pakistan, the chief selector and highly influential in choosing the national team that is playing at the Cricket World Cup.

He went to dinner about two weeks ago in Christchurch, New Zealand, with his wife and two friends. No complaints about the food, but plenty of complaints elsewhere.

The restaurant has a casino, and that didn't play well at home - casinos and gambling are banned in Pakistan. Repercussions from his night out Feb. 19 even made their way to parliament, and he was ordered home by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Cricket authorities say he has apologized for choosing the wrong place to eat. Board chairman Shaharyar Khan says he spoke with the chief selector Tuesday and accepts his explanation that he was only having dinner.

Shaharyar Khan says he has no reason to doubt Moin Khan, but the ''matter is now closed.''

''He will not go back (to the World Cup),'' he said.

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