World has lauded trouble-free Zimbabwe series: Shaharyar
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KARACHI: Applauding fans and Pakistani media for their tremendous response during the recently held home series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M. Khan on Friday said successful organisation of the matches despite heavy odds earned the country praise and compliments from around the world that includes the ICC chief executive Dave Richardson besides several other cricket dignitaries.
Addressing a crowded news conference here at the National Stadium, Shaharyar dispelled the impression that the ICC had given Pakistan a cold shoulder over its endeavours to revive international cricket.
“Richardson had told me that he would visit Pakistan during the Zimbabwe series but he could not come [due to some urgent engagements] and had to stay back in the US. However, yesterday, Richardson sent us a congratulatory message on successfully organising the series which is indeed a big boost for us,” he disclosed.
“Similarly, complimentary messages came from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke, South Africa and Australia,” the PCB chief added. “Sri Lanka Cricket’s Interim Committee president Sidharth Wettimuny [who was here during the Zimbabwe series] was simply stunned by the magnificent response from the crowd.
“And very importantly, the visiting Zimbabweans were extremely happy and satisfied with all the series arrangements, including those related to security.”
Shaharyar had a special word of praise for Pakistani media and fans. “Here I would like to pay tribute to our media and millions of enthusiastic fans whose overwhelming response to the Zimbabwe series was instrumental in making the contests highly successful as we were hosting a Test-playing nation after six years,” he said.
“I feel that the way the series was covered by our media was intensely patriotic and created an atmosphere of unity and national spirit. And the crowds in all five games at the Gaddafi Stadium were exceptionally disciplined and very sporting too, equally applauding Zimbabwe and Pakistan teams for their deeds on the field which I reckon was indeed a very good gesture and did us proud as hosts.”
PCB chief praises fans, media for showing national spirit
The Zimbabwe series, the PCB chief insisted, was only the start. “Our next step is to host Test matches here. Security no doubt is an issue and it will not go in a flash but will take time. However, after the trouble-free series against Zimbabwe for which due credit should be given to our law-enforcement agencies, we should hope for a better future and positive vibes from other teams.”
Speaking with reference to the ICC Task Force which was formed in 2009 in order to continue the process of restoring international cricket in Pakistan and had Giles Clarke as its head, Shaharyar said: “That report of the Task Force on Pakistan cricket needs to be reviewed. I have told the ICC that we need their support [for restarting cricket in our country], which I reckon has been stagnant for a while.”
The PCB chief said that former international stars like Wasim Akram, Brian Lara and others could be invited to Pakistan for matches featuring veterans, adding that non-Test playing countries like Afghanistan and Ireland (national and ‘A’ teams) wanted to tour Pakistan but “our national team’s tight schedule till early 2016 is not allowing it. Therefore, they may tour afterwards.”
Giving his views on the planned series with India in the UAE later this year, the PCB chief sounded optimistic about the blockbuster contests taking place despite ongoing friction between India and Pakistan.
“Our India series is very important, not just for us but for India as well. It’s a mega series in world cricket, bigger than the Ashes. When we signed the MoU [to play six bilateral series in the next eight years] with India last year, there was Congress government in India, and now it’s the BJP. So the BCCI now requires fresh permission from their government to play a series against us. And I sincerely believe the series will take place in the near future.
“Here, I would recall Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement in which he declared that his country was willing to play cricket with Pakistan. [Ex-BCCI chief] N. Srinivasan was also positive in this regard, and on my recent visit to New Delhi, Jagmohan Dalmiya also gave a similar signal,” he said.
The PCB chief, however, hinted that a more complicated issue is currently obstructing the Pakistan-India series that related to a broadcasting feud. “Things need to be sorted out on that front, and especially between the BCCI and a Dubai-based Ten Sports television network which has acquired the broadcasting rights of Pakistan’s international cricket series. I hope it gets resolved soon to make things easier.”
Responding to a question regarding the possibility of India refusing to play the series with Pakistan, the PCB chief said: “The situation will be clear in two months time. We have a plan ‘B’ the details of which I cannot share at the moment. If the situation arises, alternative teams can be called. However, if no major [unwelcome] incident takes place in the lead-up to the series, I still think there is 70% chance the India-Pakistan series will take place.”
Meanwhile, the PCB chief minced no words in showing his discontentment over the poor physical fitness levels of Pakistan cricketers.
“Physical fitness has now become statistically measurable; 10 is regarded as the minimum accepted point while 14 is the highest level.
“I regret to say that while most of the South African, Australian and New Zealand cricketers maintain the highest level, most of our players lie in the range of 10; three players of our national team are not even up to the least required level. And would you believe Indian and Sri Lankan players come in the range of 12-13, even Bangladeshis have improved to touch 11,” he said.
“Therefore, we must focus on the fitness of our players for long-term success at the top international level,” Shaharyar emphasised.
Commenting on the recent nomination of former Test captain Zaheer Abbas for the ceremonial post of ICC president following Najam Sethi’s withdrawal, Shaharyar said: “The ICC in a recent meeting had decided that from the next year, their president should be an ‘iconic player’. Though this regulation was to be applied after Sethi’s presidency tenure, he himself withdrew to allow a former player to fulfill the role. And after the approval of the PCB’s Board of Governors, we nominated Zaheer’s name for the post.”
Responding to a question on the new central contract for national team players, the PCB chief said he had already discussed the matter with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and ODI skipper Azhar Ali. “The contracts will be awarded before the team’s departure to Colombo,” he said.
On the report of the committee formed by the PCB to probe Pakistan’s poor show in the World Cup, he said it was being processed, adding the recently held series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would also be included in the said report.
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2015
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