ISLAMABAD: Descri­bing Pakistan as a safe destination, Zimb­abwe’s Sports Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has expressed the wish to see cricketing ties between the two countries continue in future.

“We must state that we have over the years relied on Pakistan for support in the matrix of global cricket management and design and we are very appreciative to the Pakistan government, its people and the Pakistan Cricket Board for that kind gesture,” Hlongwane was quoted as saying by Zimbabwean website www.dailynews.co.zw on Friday.

“I must state at the outset that it is our wish that this strong relationship in respect of cricket would continue,” he added.

Backing the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, he said, “we think that Pakistan is an important actor in terms of global cricket development and we want those good relations in that particular are to continue”.

“Zimbabwe hasn’t been doing very well as know and they are opportunities for the development of cricket for Zimbabwe in this relationship including the fact that we could have exchange programmes.

“Pakistan has a very good academy that could be of benefit to Zimbabwe.

“We know that it is very safe and we think that those are opportunities we could explore together with a view to making sure there’s mutual benefit between our two sisterly countries,” Hlongwane added.

Published in Dawn September 24th, 2016