Commonwealth side’s tour could trigger return of international cricket in Pakistan: Sethi

Najam Sethi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) executive committee, has expressed desire to host a Commonwealth team in Pakistan and believed that such a visit could trigger return of international cricket in the country.

“We are in touch with Giles Clarke (chairman of the England cricket board), because we feel if we can have the Commonwealth side play in Pakistan then we can also have some matches of the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the country,” Sethi was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“If that happens it will break the ice for us. The PSL has generated so much interest not only in Pakistan but in other countries as well. It has been a big boost for us,” he added.

The inaugural edition of the PSL has grabbed attention in cricketing circles with some nail-biting finishes and capacity crowds in the United Arab Emirates.

Expectations with the league were high and when it kicked off on February 4, followers of the game began comparing it with the likes of Indian Premier League and the Australian Big Bash T20.

Two weeks into the tournament, project director and the mastermind behind PSL, Salman Sarwar Butt, revealed that the PCB is very possibly set to break even as the league nears end.

West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell, who is representing Islamabad United in the PSL, has also expressed willingness to visit Pakistan, but said he will be ‘scared’ if the league were to be staged in it’s host country next year.

Russell judges the situation according to what he sees and hears on mainstream media about Pakistan.

“Based on what I have heard and stuff you know, I mean, I am going to be scared obviously,” Russell told ESPNcricinfo, when asked if he would play in Pakistan. “But, for some reason, I would go to Pakistan. But listen, I am going to be scared. That’s the thing.”

The International Cricket Council does not yet consider Pakistan as a safe place to travel for international teams despite Zimbabwe’s tour to the country last year, which made them the first team to visit Pakistan after the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked near Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, in 2009.

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Faisal

Feb 23, 2016 04:26pm

One of the most criticized and a sincere person.

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SyedChaudhryGangaDinKhan

Feb 23, 2016 04:29pm

We all know that. At least I did.

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Tahir Amjad

Feb 23, 2016 04:41pm

Well done Mr. Sethi ,,Hats off ....you have done a great service to Pakistan

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Tahir Amjad

Feb 23, 2016 04:45pm

we must not forget the way Sir VIV Richard is involved in PSL as Quetta Mentor. Thank u sir we u as a greatest batsman ,cricket have ever produced and ur sincerity towards Quetta Gladiators.

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The Outsider

Feb 23, 2016 05:06pm

The problem isnt playing in PK but rather staying in PK. As you know even the SL team was not attacked while playing but rather on the bus while travelling. It would be hard to convince players to remain "imprisoned" in a hotel for a week. For 1-2 days it may be feasible. I think the final should be held in PK, therefore PK can get the most important game, only two teams need to come and not the whole league, and it would only need to accommodate 5-6 intl players for maybe 2 days.

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Tanweer Khan

Feb 23, 2016 05:20pm

So here is my question. Today is the final of the PSL. Either Islamabad United will win or Quetta Gladiators will win. If United wins, they'll return back to Pakistan and have a victory parade. What is the likelihood of Badree, Watson, Russell, Haddin and Smith coming to Pakistan as part of the victory celebrations? Sam Billings is obviously no longer with the team due to England duties. And what about Dean Jones? Likewise for the Gladiators. Will Pietersen, Chigumbura, Wright, Elliott, McCullum or Sangakkara come to Pakistan if Quetta wins the PSL? Will Sir Viv come too? That will be a great barometer to see what international players/coaches/mentors feel about travelling to Pakistan. I suspect all of these guys will suddenly find reasons that are more important than being part of the team. I sincerely hope that I am proved wrong here, but my hunch tells me that nobody will come to Pakistan.

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Civilian

Feb 23, 2016 05:20pm

Najam Sethi proved that all those criticizing him were politically biased & He was indeed the right choice to run such affairs.

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Peace

Feb 23, 2016 05:39pm

I think Pakistan should play opening and final in Pakistan. Wishes from India

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Woz ahmed

Feb 23, 2016 07:01pm

I thought the Zimbabwe tour broke the ice and was to lead to other teams touring us?

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Sarai Alamgir

Feb 23, 2016 08:14pm

@Woz ahmed It did break the ice but whenever the topic of cricket returning to Pak was mentioned at any ICC meeting, it was taken off the agenda, which means certain lobbies dont even want the topic to be discussed, it was also reported that the video PCB created on the successful tour of Lahore by the ZIM team was not even allowed to be shared or shown. Well done ICC, now they will look to discredit the PSL somehow.

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Feb 23, 2016 10:31pm

Why not play final at a place which is traditionally safe and can ever be targetted ? Like Gilgit !

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Woz ahmed

Feb 24, 2016 03:02am

@Sarai Alamgir That is awful if true, are there any recognised international sources where I can read up on this ? Thanks.

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JAVED

Feb 24, 2016 06:38am

Finally we have a leader and statesman running PCB. I am turning from a critic to a follower. Keep rolling Najam!

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