Clarke, in September’s issue of The Wisden Cricketer, has discussed the plan of sending a team to Pakistan to help revival of international action in the trouble-torn country which has not seen any team play there since March 2009.
“World cricket must keep giving Pakistan cricket the chance to fund itself and move forward, to do something for the spectator in Pakistan,” Clarke wrote.
“The security challenges are enormous but we cannot allow the terrorists to win. They must lose by an innings -- repeatedly. I do not think it will be possible for individual national teams to tour yet. But with determination, an ICC World XI will go and play against Pakistan.”
Commenting on the statement, the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt praised his ECB counterpart Clarke and said he was grateful to hear the announcement.
“It is indeed heartening to note that the cricket fraternity is working on revival of cricket in Pakistan. I am very grateful to Clarke who is a dear friend of Pakistan, for pursuing our case and working tirelessly in bringing international cricket back to Pakistan,” said the PCB chief.
Pakistan is experiencing drought of international cricket following attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year. Since then, the team has been forced to play all their home series abroad and have also lost status of co-hosts of next year’s World Cup. Pakistan have also been overlooked as hosts of major ICC events until 2015 and recently played its rescheduled home series against Australia in England.
Following the completion of the tour of England, Pakistan will take on South Africa in the UAE.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2010.
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