KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in order to provide exposure to Pakistan’s second string is planning a three-nation ‘A’ team event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), board chairman Shaharyar M. Khan said on Wednesday.

“The PCB is fully aware of providing exposure to Pakistan ‘A’ team, thus planning this event,” he told reporters at the National Stadium where he was watching third-day’s play of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold League final between NBP and SNGPL.

He said they were considering inviting India, South Africa and Sri Lanka ‘A’ teams for the event.

While underlining the importance of Pakistan ‘A’ tours, he said more tours will be arranged for the country’s second string in coming months.

He agreed with a questioner that there was a dire need for regular tours by Pakistan ‘A’ team.

The chairman was a bit worried about fitness problems of Pakistan team ahead of the World Cup but hoped all things will be settled as the team leaves for New Zealand for two-match One-day International series by the middle of next month.

He said left arm paceman Junaid Khan has largely recovered from his injury.

He said there was a need to improve domestic cricket in Pakistan and make it as competitive as cricket in Australia is. “We must improve quality of domestic cricket to prepare good international cricketers for future,” he said.

Shaharyar Khan also asked former Test paceman and coach of the China team Rashid Khan to arrange China team’s visit to Pakistan.

NCA head Haroon Rasheed was also present on the occasion.

Shaharyar said PCB wanted to invite both Chinese men and women teams to Pakistan.

“We will provide Chinese team top class security and they may play few matches in Karachi,” he commented.

Shaharyar also seemed unhappy over the condition of National Stadium and wanted quick completion of PCB Academy here.

During his visit to under construction academy building, he expressed his displeasure over delay in the completion work and ordered its early completion.

He was accompanied by Haroon Rasheed, PCB’s manager projects Zahid Hussain and senior manager of the stadium Arshad Khan.

The work at PCB Academy was stopped for several months due to differences between PCB and contractor.

Shaharyar said the academy would be benefitting for training and grooming of budding cricketers.

The chief also directed that car park inside the stadium may be developed into a first-class ground for staging domestic cricket matches.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2014