The minister shared his plans of hosting the team comprising former internationals on May 25 and 26 and sought the PCB’s support in making national players available for the two matches.
According to officials, the minister has succeeded in roping in players from South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for the matches.
Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and former South African fast-bowler Andre Nel are said to have confirmed their participation for the matches.
However, the PCB showing little interest in the series and asked Shah to postpone the matches, citing lack of involvement from their end and the team’s preparation for the tour of Sri Lanka as the major reasons.
“Hosting an international team is a meticulous job,” read the PCB’s media release. “It requires huge amount of planning and groundwork on security and other aspects of the visit to organise it in a befitting manner. In this case, we have not been involved from the outset.
“Moreover, the national team is busy in preparation for the Sri Lanka tour. Keeping in view the prevailing circumstances, the PCB has suggested postponing the matches until a mutually agreed date in the future.”
Shah remains adamant
However, Shah, also a seasoned organiser, said that he will host the matches despite PCB’s refusal.
“We are going to host these matches as per plan,” Shah told The Express Tribune. “A lot of things have already been finalised with regards to the matches and we cannot postpone them now.
“I will request the PCB to support us as it’s a matter of national prestige. The postponement will not only have a negative impact but it will also annoy the players who we have confirmed their participation.”
Shah added that he will reveal further details of the planned matches at a press conference in Karachi today.
PCB tells Canada to wait
Canada Cricket Association’s interest in touring Pakistan has also been put on hold until at least October.
The CCA offered to send its team this month in response to the PCB’s efforts of holding a tri-series also involving Afghanistan. However, the PCB said the tour was not possible due to the team’s hectic schedule that includes a full tour of Sri Lanka, One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s against Australia and the World Twenty20 that takes place in September.
“The PCB has thanked Cricket Canada for their interest in sending their cricket team,” read a PCB press release. “The PCB is working on the modalities of the proposition and tentatively we are aiming for the tour to materialise after September 2012.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.
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ya match honay chai ha plz plz plz
Dear Dr. Shah, please don't make a bigger fool of yourself than you already did (remember last Asian Games' opening ceremony)