SIALKOT, Sept 3: The ad hoc Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mr. Shaharyar M.Khan has linked the holding of Tests and ODIs at Sialkot with the establishment of a four/five star hotel in the city.

Addressing the local business community at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday, he pointed out that the PCB was fully aware of the cricket potential of Sialkot as the best quality sports goods producing and exporting city of Pakistan, which had also produced several national heroes in cricket.

“But, we have to ensure the ICC rules & regulations, according to which, PCB was unable to hold any international match in the cities without the facilities of four/five star hotels,” he added.

He promised the business community that PCB would hold matches as soon as such hotels were established.

PCB chief also invited the wealthy Sialkot business community to sponsor the Sialkot region’s cricket team under the PCB’s Regional Cricket team sponsorship programme for the promotion of domestic cricket in the country.

He remarked “We want to establish maximum cricket grounds in Sialkot which earlier lacked grounds, but we want the guarantee of five things which are the provision of electricity, water, drainage, grounds’ possession and maintenance expenditures. If these sureties are given to us then PCB would do a lot in this regard”.

The PCB chairman also visited the ground of Jinnah Stadium Sialkot and expressed satisfaction over wicket’s condition, however, he stressed upon the need of taking some effective measures to improve the condition of the stadium.