PCB hopeful on Asian Games

KARACHI: Unperturbed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) withdrawal from the Asian Games, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hopeful of sending its teams for the event to be held in China later this year.

“We’re looking forward to sending our teams to China and would take a decision soon regarding our participation in the Asian Games,” PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt told The Express Tribune. “The team’s busy schedule is not an issue for us and we’re preparing to finalise both our men’s and women’s teams for the event.”

Cricket is making its debut in the Games taking place from November 12 to 17 in Ghanzhou but the Indian board decided against sending its teams citing its busy schedule. Though the BCCI opted to skip the Games as they would be hosting New Zealand in November, Pakistan’s tour of the UAE, where they will be ‘hosting’ South Africa, will be going on as well.Butt felt that since Pakistan enjoyed good relations with China, it was the PCB’s responsibility to make their event a success.

“We have friendly relations with China and this is also the reason why we want to participate in the event,” Butt added while also saying that he would speak to the BCCI before making a final decision about Pakistan’s participation in the event.“I’m trying to find reasons for India’s withdrawal and trying to contact BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan to know details and I’ll make a final decision after hearing from him.”

Published in the Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2010.