KARACHI:
The news of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan has been welcomed this side of the border – in stark comparison to the mixed reactions surfacing in India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf confirmed that it was their efforts in the last six months that bore fruit and his predecessor, Ijaz Butt, who took a lot of boards by the horn, expressed his delight after hearing the news. Butt failed to convince teams to visit Pakistan after the Lahore attack in his tenure but showed his pleasure at the development.
“It’s a very good sign,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “I must congratulate the PCB and the Indian board for this. It will be a huge breakthrough for the fans in the sub-continent as well as other parts of the world. And it will also bring positive results for our cricket and the PCB in many ways. The series-revival with India will also help us bring back international cricket in Pakistan in the future.
“This series, likes the Pakistan-India ties in the past, will help the PCB overcome its financial crisis as well.”
‘Pakistan, India should play every year’
Meanwhile, former captain Zaheer Abbas, while welcoming the BCCI’s confirmation, said that both countries should play on a regular basis.
“Cricket has always played a huge role in improving ties between nations,” said Abbas. “It will be good to bring these nations closer and will improve relations between the two countries. Both teams can also improve relations between them by playing each other on a regular basis. In fact, they should play each other every year.”
A timely call: Sohail
Another former captain, Aamir Sohail, has described the breakthrough a timely decision.
“It was the need of the hour,” said Sohail. “Cricket ties between Pakistan and India are very important for the game. I see this series as a starting point and hope for a bilateral series on a regular basis.”
Misbah, Hafiz hail BCCI’s decision
Meanwhile, Pakistan Test and One-Day International captain Misbahul Haq and Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez welcomed the BCCI’s decision.
“People of both the countries were desperate for this,” said Hafeez. “It is good news for the fans and we are happy at the development.”
Misbah echoed Hafeez’s views on the development, adding that the players were looking forward to the series.
“The enthusiasts want to see action between these two countries,” said Misbah. “The series will definitely be a breakthrough for the game.”
‘Something is better than nothing’
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has also voiced his approval on the development but said that it would have been better if India had agreed to send their team to Pakistan.
“It is positive news,” said Afridi. “People from both sides want to see the series between the two countries. We have many fans in India and the same is true for Indian cricketers having a huge following in Pakistan. It would’ve been better if the Indian team had come to Pakistan but something is better than nothing.”
Former PCB chief Ijaz Butt
“I must congratulate the PCB and the Indian board for this. It will be a huge breakthrough for the fans. This series, likes the Pakistan-India ties in the past, will help the PCB overcome its financial crisis as well.”
Former captain Zaheer Abbas
“Cricket has always played a huge role in improving ties between nations. Both teams can also improve relations between them by playing each other on a regular basis. In fact, they should play each other every year.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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Only cash strapped Pakistani and PCB are desperate. No one from India is interested. Pakistanis going hyper ..ha ha..
this is not true.. gone are those days
Be ready for this tour to be canceled faster than you can say Pawar!!!
Especially after the ATC ruling today.
we should play in a neutral venue or even in pakistan. but India is not happy with the way pakistan govt is protecting the mumbai perpetrator who are still urging people to destroy india in public rallies. india is not going to welcome pakistan. lets play somewhere else buddy
@BoomBoom PAKISTAN: when teams like Austrlia, england, south africa, nz wont visit pak because of security issues...then why should we..... i told it before as well pak should only be able to host intl cricket from 2020 or 2025...keeping in mind of the instability growing in pakistan
well a good news bat Shahid Bhai said the right that indian team should also visit Pakistan.... wish you all the best 4 this tour Pakistani team
Not Indians. Nor the Indian cricketers. It is purely in view of pleasing Pakistanis that the BCCI and the Government have agreed for the series. If Indian cricketers are too busy and tired, Indians are not in a mood to enjoy the rivalry game after post Mumbai terror attack. So, in case if this series is cancelled, both will heave a sigh of relief.
Dear Sir Now is not the time. The festering wound of Bombay is still raw. All this is far too early. Also, BCCI is running a huge risk, what if there is a terrorist incident during the tour, chances are like in the case of Pakistan, no international side will be willing to visit India. Can the BCCI assuredly say it wont happen, how can we expect the players to commit themselves to taking part in this tour. It appears we are expecting too much from BCCI, PCB, the players, fans and the people and think about the people who lost their loved and dear ones in those fateful days in Bombay. Please use your good office to help reverse this insidious decision. Warm regards.
"The news of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan has been welcomed this side of the border – in stark comparison to the mixed reactions surfacing in India." . Just in case you missed this fact, Pakistani terrorists came to India (not the other way round) and killed 166 innocent Indians. The chief perpetrator of that horrendous crime and his "charitable organization" are free in Pakistan, not India. Tens of thousands of Pakistanis are paying money to JUD so they can plan another of those biggies in India, not Pakistan. It's Pakistani not Indian cricket that's broke and desperately wants cricketing ties to resume. Are you still surprised at the "mixed reactions surfacing in India" and not in Pakistan?