India tour: Thrilled PCB begins preparations
ECC holds urgent meeting to decide course of action ahead of bilateral series.
KARACHI:
Excited by the confirmation of the India tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called an urgent meeting of its Executive Coordination Committee (ECC) to discuss the course of action to ensure success of the much-anticipated series.
According to a PCB official, the meeting, chaired by chairman Zaka Ashraf, discussed a number of points to make the forthcoming series a catalyst to rebuild strong relations with the neighbouring board.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finalised the tour after announcement the schedule that will start with first Twenty20 in Bangalore. The tour, which includes three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s, is the first series between the two countries since 2007.
The ECC welcomed the formal announcement by the BCCI, hoping the event will help in strengthening future relations between both countries.
Selectors to meet soon
The official said the PCB was eager to see the team put on a good show and asked the selectors to finalise the team as soon as possible so the players get enough time to prepare for the series.
Pakistan have no international assignment before the India tour and it is expected that the training camp will start well before the series.
“The selectors are likely to meet next week,” the official told The Express Tribune.
“Dav Whatmore is returning from vacations after which the selectors will meet the coach to finalise the team.”
PCB to send Test greats as goodwill ambassadors
Meanwhile, the ECC meeting also decided to invite 10 legendary cricketers to attend matches between the traditional rivals.
These include Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmad, Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Burki, Wasim Bari, Intikhab Alam and Sadiq Mohammad.
The board will choose two of these former Test greats for each venue.
“Their presence will help in improving cricketing relations between two countries,” said the official.
Delegation to be sent for ‘overall’ review
Meanwhile, the board will send its delegation to India before the tour to review ‘overall’ arrangements for the series.
The delegation will include PCB and security officials. “Security arrangements will also be reviewed. The officials will also assess overall arrangements.”
PCB gives thumbs-up to day-night tests
Unlike the BCCI that expressed its reservations on day-night Tests, the PCB has given a thumbs-up to the change, calling the development a ‘boost’ to the game.
The PCB, which experimented with pink and orange balls in its premier domestic tournament – the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy finals last year – ‘welcomed’ the development.
The board’s version came following its Executive Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting which discussed the matter yesterday.
“Committee observed that cricket has changed over time,” said the PCB following the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2012.
Excited by the confirmation of the India tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called an urgent meeting of its Executive Coordination Committee (ECC) to discuss the course of action to ensure success of the much-anticipated series.
According to a PCB official, the meeting, chaired by chairman Zaka Ashraf, discussed a number of points to make the forthcoming series a catalyst to rebuild strong relations with the neighbouring board.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finalised the tour after announcement the schedule that will start with first Twenty20 in Bangalore. The tour, which includes three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s, is the first series between the two countries since 2007.
The ECC welcomed the formal announcement by the BCCI, hoping the event will help in strengthening future relations between both countries.
Selectors to meet soon
The official said the PCB was eager to see the team put on a good show and asked the selectors to finalise the team as soon as possible so the players get enough time to prepare for the series.
Pakistan have no international assignment before the India tour and it is expected that the training camp will start well before the series.
“The selectors are likely to meet next week,” the official told The Express Tribune.
“Dav Whatmore is returning from vacations after which the selectors will meet the coach to finalise the team.”
PCB to send Test greats as goodwill ambassadors
Meanwhile, the ECC meeting also decided to invite 10 legendary cricketers to attend matches between the traditional rivals.
These include Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmad, Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Burki, Wasim Bari, Intikhab Alam and Sadiq Mohammad.
The board will choose two of these former Test greats for each venue.
“Their presence will help in improving cricketing relations between two countries,” said the official.
Delegation to be sent for ‘overall’ review
Meanwhile, the board will send its delegation to India before the tour to review ‘overall’ arrangements for the series.
The delegation will include PCB and security officials. “Security arrangements will also be reviewed. The officials will also assess overall arrangements.”
PCB gives thumbs-up to day-night tests
Unlike the BCCI that expressed its reservations on day-night Tests, the PCB has given a thumbs-up to the change, calling the development a ‘boost’ to the game.
The PCB, which experimented with pink and orange balls in its premier domestic tournament – the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy finals last year – ‘welcomed’ the development.
The board’s version came following its Executive Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting which discussed the matter yesterday.
“Committee observed that cricket has changed over time,” said the PCB following the meeting.
“This decision will provide cricket fans with an opportunity to watch matches played under this format during prime time on television. This will also increase the product value of these matches for the host boards.” Cricket Australia also backed day-night Tests.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2012.