“It’s up to them whether they want to take part or not but the PCB will send out an invitation,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “My aim is to do whatever I can to put the relations between the two boards back on track because the fans want to see Pakistan and India in action.”
Meanwhile, Ashraf blasted the Punjab government and said the unwanted interference – bringing down a wall of Gaddafi Stadium – could harm Pakistan’s image and also the prospects of holding PPL matches in the province.
“Politics should be kept separate from sports because it’ll hurt Pakistan’s image. We are trying to launch the revival of international cricket here and the Punjab government is doing such things. We can’t even think of hosting an international team or a league match in Punjab in the current scenario.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2012.
COMMENTS (10)
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@Singh, In fact the last comment by ashok sai is such a sensible comment which you cant read it clearly from America . He says Its better to play in Indian soil even for a local trophy because in pakistan you never know what is thrown into the ground from spectators and it could very well be grenade looking at Srilankan tourist episode! ... Either pakistanis should counter this fear by quoting new games held with top notch security for international players ..Or just accept the statement from people like ashok sai and wait for things to improve.! Remember the comment never pointed about quality of cricket in pakistan!!
@Ashok sai: Please dont inflate your ego too much...standard of cricket in Pakistan is at par with India...infact ours is much better in many senses....inclusion or no inclusion of Indian player is not going to affect the quality of cricket in Pakistani league....infact if Indian bowlers are picked our bowling standards might deteriorate.
Its better for Indian players to play Duleep, Ranji, etc. matches, after all they will be sure of what bowled against them is a Cricket ball not a grenade !
Zaka Ashraf is proving to be a ignorant of the ground realities and it seems like he is working on a one point agenda and that's to engage India somehow or another. There are several other teams that Pakistan should be playing series with etc but this chairman has blinders on with India written on them.
@Noor: ipl is bigest t20 tournament in d world
Why are we so adamant for IPL????????????
What nonsense...do u think foreign players wil tour pak by putng their life in risk??noo...even if pcb organize ppl in UAE indian top players wont participate maybe 2nd rated indian players may play...bt i hope they wont play coz they r getng big bucks 4m ipl..
I did not expect punjab govt praises from zardari's friend anyway. you are losing the respect which i had initially in post-butt era