‘Pakistan’s contribution to cricket can’t be ignored’

E-Paper | June 12, 2026

Pakistan is not the part of ICC’s revamped structure but its contribution in the game at the international level is enormous, according to Arif Abbasi, the former PCB chief executive.

“I am not sure whether there was any real offer [for Pakistan] to join hands with India, Australia and England and to make it a ‘Big Four’, but the fact is our country’s contribution to cricket can’t be ignored,” he said over telephone from Karachi.

“Don’t forget it was Pakistan which won the 1987 World Cup bid and not the Indian cricket board. Only at the insistence of NKP Salve, the BCCI chief then, India could become the co-host”, he informs.

Elaborating more about the 1987 World Cup, Arif said, “It was decided at Lord’s (ICC Headquarter then) that Hinduja would sponsor the joint World Cup but India’s prime minister at the time, Indira Gandhi, was not comfortable with the idea and Reliance came with the bigger offer and that’s how the World Cup was given Reliance name.

“The transformed 1987 World Cup was the first largest money spinner after the FIFA World Cup,” added Abbasi.

“The idea of having neutral umpires and match-referees was first mooted by the PCB. The idea of sending professional manager on tours was also initiated by us and was widely appreciated.”

Abbasi went on to add: “We formed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and its constitution was prepared in Pakistan. NKP Salve was offered to be the first president of the ACC.

“The proposal to benefit former cricketers [from India and Pakistan and others thereafter] in Sharjah was made by us and the Indian cricket board accepted it,” he recalled.

“Also, Sri Lanka’s Test status was piloted and proposed by our board.”

Listing more contribution by Pakistan, he said, “Our proposal to arrange matches between the domestic winners of India and Pakistan teams at Delhi and Lahore was also a success. My last proposal was to organise the Test World Cup.

“It was submitted in 1996-97. If they have proper records and filings of paper, it may still be lying over there,” Abbasi concluded.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

HBL PSL 2024: United edge Kings in high-stakes encounter

Babar Azam slammed for poor captaincy

All to play for after Australia, England clash washed out

Youth

Apr 15, 2014 02:24pm

Dear Bipin Dani what have you contributed to this article containing your name. Whatever you have quoted is from Ariff Abbasi or others. I think this is only an attempt to highlight Pakistan's woe and nothing more.

Recommend 0

Apr 15, 2014 02:44pm

We invented late swing and doosra and introduced impartial umpires.

Recommend 0

Milind Dave

Apr 15, 2014 04:58pm

@AJ: And match fixing too why you forgot

Recommend 0

BNA

Apr 15, 2014 05:07pm

Whatever may be the sum and substance of this write up, there is no doubt that Pakistan at one time was indeed a highly talented and skilful team. But is that a history now?

Recommend 0

real touch but each

Apr 15, 2014 05:07pm

@AJ: What abut match fixing and ball temptation:-)

Recommend 0

Nisar

Apr 15, 2014 05:46pm

On the comments of match fixing, please look at where 90% of the bookies are based, you wont have to look too far. Along side Bollywood, you are also famous of illegal activity.

Recommend 0

MEDUSA

Apr 15, 2014 06:58pm

Pakistan brought class and style to international cricket (Imran Khan, Wasim Akram,etc), whilst India mastered greed, match fixing, "auction" of cricket players and treating them like a commodity rather than great sportsman. Indians placing anti-Pakistan comments here will never admit Pakistan formidable role in international cricket which extolled this sport to amazing heights during cricket's golden years... truly pathetic!

Recommend 0

BRR

Apr 15, 2014 08:30pm

If one has to rely on old achievements and has nothing new to offer, one is already going down the tubes. Nostaligia is for people who don't have anything new coming up.

Recommend 0

Apr 15, 2014 08:37pm

For our Indian readers who are commenting on this article; Don't forget match fixing and gambling is a problem with most of cricket teams. Have you guys forgotten Australian, English, S African, Bangladeshi and Indian players that have been involved in match fixing. IPL is filled with corruption and match fixing. Unfortunately only Pakistani players have been singled out and received harsh penalties. When it comes to Pak players the issue is blown out of proportion while players from other countries only get a slap on the wrist.

Recommend 0

Apr 15, 2014 08:43pm

@Nisar: Well said.

Recommend 0

Karachi Wala

Apr 15, 2014 09:04pm

What Mr. Abbasi is pointing at, has truth to it and that makes present realities even more painful. I am sure he is aware that none can survive too long on the past achievements and glories.

Recommend 0

Taimoor Khan

Apr 15, 2014 09:08pm

@Milind Dave: Spare me, India is the den of all the match fixers, bookies, gambling mafias and what not.

Recommend 0

APatel, USA

Apr 15, 2014 09:26pm

@Milind Dave: Yes, only if you don't consider the contribution of H.Cronje, IPL, BPL and all the betting going around the Cricket world.

Recommend 0

Mauren

Apr 15, 2014 10:54pm

@AJ: Also, we invented the fire, the wheel and sliced bread...

Recommend 0

Mauren

Apr 15, 2014 10:56pm

@MEDUSA: Do you think anyone outside Pakistan anywhere in the world will attribute such lofty accomplishments to Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Syed

Apr 16, 2014 12:17am

@Milind Dave: When was Mohammad Azharuddin & Hansi Cronje convicted for match fixing? Exactly dont forget history.

Recommend 0

Pakistani

Apr 16, 2014 01:15am

@Milind Dave: you remember mark waugh, DJ, azar o din , jadaj, bothom (ball tempring cought red hand), umpires DW and many mores

Recommend 0

Tower

Apr 16, 2014 01:33am

Indira Ghandhi was assassinated in 1984. How could she affect the decision in 1987?

Recommend 0

Danish

Apr 16, 2014 05:31am

The art of how to bite a cricket ball?

Recommend 0

Syed Mubeen Bokhari

Apr 16, 2014 07:12am

@Milind Dave: It is a shame that u so conveniently forget Azhar,Jadeja and other Indians who were caught and punished almost two decades ago.Interestingly India remains the place where the evil of match fixing originated and is still thriving.

Recommend 0

AKA

Apr 16, 2014 09:48am

I don't know how Pakistan's contributions can't be ignored because they have already been ignored not only in the field but cricket but elsewhere as well. Pakistan is being picturised as a Nation of Taliban who actually are foreign funded and not as a Nation who has Contributed Hundred of Thousands of Lives for the World's Peace.

Recommend 0

Noor Ahmed

Apr 16, 2014 10:01am

he said over the telephone from karachi,why over used in the place of on telephone.

Recommend 0

Kamal

Apr 16, 2014 10:24am

@MEDUSA: I am an Indian and appreciate Pakistan's role in world cricket. In fact all playing nations contributed and Kudos to all nations. But Pakistan need to be with India and India needs to be with Pakistan for betterment be it cricket or international politics. Can India, Pakistan leave the religions and go back to old stage where India, Pakistan, Bangladesh becomes a single federation of states. Kamal

Recommend 0

Wasim

Apr 16, 2014 10:30am

Who is Abasi? Total lie?

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 16, 2014 10:19pm

He is right. In fact, it's a great conspiracy spearheaded by international interest groups against the "land of the pure" and its sports teams especially cricket, which is taking its toll at the moment. Keeping international cricket from taking place on the Pakistani soil is just a part of it. Nevertheless, for how long can they hatch and perpetuate it? Not longer because the global world we all live in today is highly dynamic and every changing. Only time will tell.

Recommend 0

optimist

Apr 17, 2014 01:14am

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad: When an educated person speaks or writes it shows. Sinceerity is subject to proof and Arif Ali Khan Abbasi tenure wes the best after Air Marshall Nur Khan. Pakistan cricket needs Arif Ali Khan Abbasi to be the chairman of PCB to put things in right direction. It will interesting to see what Mr. Sethi has to say about Rashid Latif reasons for not becoming a selector.

Recommend 0

MEDUSA

Apr 17, 2014 06:41am

@Kamal: I appreciate your positive POV, and respectfully can't agree with this part or your comment: *"leave the religions and go back to old stage where India, Pakistan, Bangladesh becomes a single federation of states."* Kamal, have you observed Pakistani Muslim cricketers praying on a cricket ground before, after or during a break in the game? Or Muslim crickters giving a sermon to non Muslims during a cricket match? I certainly haven't so why is religion mentioned, since most Pakistani players don't wear their faith on their sleeve. As for all three nations becoming a single "federation of states" .. that would be unrealistic unless you're referring to an alliance such as the EU. Pakistan's culture is starkly different from India's. Our way of dress (modest or otherwise), our meat based halal cuisine, our freedom to practice our faith w/o hinderence .. to hear the deeply spiritual call of the Muezzin - the Azaan .. all these are very integral to the essence of Pakistan. Anyway, thank you for your input, it's a breath of fresh air after so many divisive Indians commenting here spreading ignorance about Pakistan and Islam.

Recommend 0

someone

Apr 17, 2014 10:02pm

@MEDUSA: If you are so holy then why does PCB chief is working so hard to play few games with India? By the way, Pakistan's is the only team whose players have been jailed for match fixing. Your boom boom was caught for ball eating and destroying the pitch right in front of camera and the fact that he is still highly regarded in Pakistan, tells something about the nature of Pakistani people.Your classy people were the first ones to start new techniques of ball tempering with soda bottle caps and that is how they became "classy". On the other hand, IPL has given the chance to cricketers to make money while they are in their prime so that they don't have to just rely on commentary contracts in future.And yes, we do understand the frustration of Pakistani players because they can't play in IPL, and going by their verbal skills, barring a few, most won't have any commentary contracts in future.

Recommend 0

someone

Apr 18, 2014 07:48am

@MEDUSA: For your information, there are 200 Million Muslims in India, who dress modestly, eat Halal food, are free to follow their religion freely , in fact more freely since they do not fear of their mosque being bombed. The Shias do not have a fear of getting killed. And guess what, they are part of Indian culture. So Pakistan at beat can boast only about a subset of Indian culture while Indian culture has so much more to offer. But I agrees on you that Pakistan culture NOW is starkly different for good or for bad, well we all see that.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.