Caretaker PCB chairman Najam Sethi. PHOTO: AFP
He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had given him the target of improving relations with India and added that he wanted to go to the neighbouring country within the next three months.
Asserting that he was satisfied with Misbahul Haq's captaincy, he said that the highs and lows in cricket shouldn't cause such an uproar.
Earlier he had also rubbished criticism following Pakistan's loss in the second Harare Test in Zimbabwe.
The tourists' 24-run defeat in the final Test had deprived them of a much-needed series victory and had drawn criticism from former cricketers.
For the upcoming series with South Africa, Sethi said that he will announce the team within 10 days.
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COMMENTS (46)
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@shahid: Maybe today you are right, but in time my friend, in time. It is destiny that has to take its turn and in your lifetime lessons will be taught. You will see how it is forced and implemented. As the circumstances are unfolding, very soon my friend, sooner than you think; and in the near future as you said; Is destiny halal?
There are 10 other countries or more who play cricket ... why does Pakistan not feel satisfied playing with them? Why does it want to hassle India knowing public perception in India is to stay away from Pakistan until peace returns?
Look at the current situation, you can't handle your team which is spiraling towards oblivion ... and you want India to play us? With the form and the player combination we currently have, I pray we never face India.. not now.. not in the near future.. not till we have players that are selected through proper merit.
Pakistan already begs from China, Saudi Arabia, USA, IMF, Turkey etc. So whats new here?
@indi: What else you want our Cricketers to find so called terrorists and kill them ? You people are bringing politics in Cricket not us.
@Bilal "Follow what Shoaib Akhter says and everything will be in order". Respected Mr Bilal........please do me a favour and ask Mr. Shoaib Akhtar to which country he went to to get his autobiography released. :) regards
no plz we dont want to play them either
We should never beg India to play cricket with Pakistan.This is the greatest ever effrontery and meanness of PCB to convince India for playing with Pakistan.
Not NOw ! , our team is in great disarray , we need to first improve our team before thinking of taking on the current best , need some thinking to do here ! .
Please Mr.Sethi save yourself the hassle of going and convincing india to play your team. First make a team who is worthy of representing PAKISTAN and if you cant do that then dont waste india's time :)
Mr Sethi should stay home. We should develop our own system of different teams from different areas of Pakistan. This way you can enjoy the game and make money too. India is a foreign country just like any other country in the world.
No shortage of swagger on Mr. Sethi's part. Having said the Zimbabwe loss was being played by people interested in jobs, now he wants to take on the best team in the world in the short game.
Sethi sb, Thank God, aapko hamari bhi yaad aagai, You must come to India, you are very welcome, but as a special request can you please please please please bring Muneeb with you please. One more request, you must arrange to speak at some public event, and if you deliver the lecture in Punjabi..........
Way forward for the Pakistani cricket
Considering that now all the Test matches to be played till 31st December, 16 will be ranking Test matches, for selecting best 4 Test teams. These 4 Test teams will only qualify for playing the 1st ever Test Matches Championship to be held in June - July 2017. As such, Pakistani cricket can't afford business as usual (specially keeping in mind that by the year 2017, Misbah ul Haq will definitely be not there, to play the Test championship).
Must find a new captain for the coming ODI and Test matches series against Sri Lanka and South Africa, so that the new captain is well experienced by the time ODI world cup is played in 2015 and Test championship in 2017.
No harm in allowing Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan to continue playing till they are fit to play.
Keeping in view of the age (35 years), current fitness, batting form and dearth of any potential player to be considered as a leader, may consider Younis Khan as a captain for the Test and ODI formats to lead the Pakistani teams till 2015 ODI World Cup and 2017 Test championship.
However, if senior players are to be altogether discarded for the consideration of captaincy then may be Saeed Ajmal can be considered, as captain to lead the team in the ODI and Test matches, as a prospect for the long term investment.
Must infuse more talented fresh blood like, Ahmad Shahzad, Awais Zia, Umer Amin, Harris Sohail and other such like youngsters in ODI and Test matches. No harm if we lose with these players when we are not winning with the current lot of seniors and semi seniors like M Hafeez etc.
Mohsin Hassan Khan must be brought back as a head coach, because Pakistan has yet to win a Test match series, under the tenure of Dav Whatmore.
Entire PCB, repeat entire PCB needs immediate revamping, without which to expect any improvement in the performance of our players, will be a far fetched dream.
@shahid
Whateve' you are saying, partially It may be possible that too if you guys improve security which is the main concern for any visiting team in your nation. Attack on Sri Lankan team bus has deferred any kinda possibility you are talking about. But any way I wish you best of luck and hope Cricket will revive in your nation in "NEAR FUTURE"
Mr. Sethi may very well succeed. Humility is respected everywhere.
He should take Wasim Akram with him to help India improve their hairs etc.
Najam sb please do give b.....................jb to indian counter part. Perhaps you can convince him. Appreciate you concern.
Follow what Shoaib Akhter says and everything will be in order "Kisi Bnaday de Putar noon lao PCB which"
@kuldeep: Maybe today you are right, but in time my friend, in time. It is destiny that has to take its turn and in your lifetime lessons will be taught. You will see how it is forced and implemented. As the circumstances are unfolding, very soon my friend, sooner than you think; and in the near future as you said;
Pakistanis, don't you have any self respect. Okay, you can come and play, but don't ask any share in the income which BCCI makes. Also don't ask us to come and play to your Masters Land.
this is called 'lack of confidence in yourself'(that under any circumstances you are willing to beg infront of others)
@Ayesha
Oops!I like your attitude. But anyway you can't force to beg at least in near future.
@Ashok Sai - Dear Ashok, I genuinely hope you are not so naive as to define the relation between the two countries in those three lines. Our history goes back a long way, and even defining terrorism in such a casual manner warrants an immediate introspection. Governments and state machineries are tasked with assertive propaganda but it is really up to us, as free citizens of the greater world, to try to understand and comprehend the world and the real-politik of the day as we 'see' it before the simulacra becomes a reality and the reality withers. Please do not consider this a rebuttal to any acts of violence anywhere in the world rather an encouragement to investigate and put our governments accountable where ever they use their propaganda and jingoism to avoid public explanation of greater issues. We are all in it together.
beggar
Mr. Sethi wants to go to India to plead India to play cricket with Pakistan. No pretension of dignity left in Pakistani officials! On top of this, the PCB Chairman publicly broadcasts this desire to be invited by India for an audience to plead - mind boggling public relations from one of our best media guys! Why can't they conduct such business in private!!!
Ayesha wrote "Instead make sure that India come to Pakistan begging to play."
Talk to your doctor and see if he can give you any pill that can give you such delusions. you may feel the fantasies are real.
Regards- Gaga
Is begging the national sport of pakistan ???
If we are Provided with Proper security we w'll come their anf Play... That's it...
Reinforce the cricket structure which would ensure that Pakistan starts to churns out the same kind of talent which was envy of the whole world in the 80's and 90's. With only world class performers like Misbah and Saeed Ajmal, no one would be interested to play cricket with us.
Is there a word "SHAME" in your dictionary !
@adnan: ECB or PCB?
Welcome to India:-)
Stop begging as India can not change her attitude towards Pakistan. Instead make sure that India come to Pakistan begging to play.
Sir, better you convince people who believes in cowardly act of sending terrorists to India. India will decide based on your action against terrorism emanating from your soil, case closed.
Mr.Sethi , though not-enemy for India , but shouldn't come.
With time India has proven that they dont care about any international law...shame on the largest so called democracy in the world...No need to ask them..
I guess they like you. You have lot of fans across the border
theres a limit to begging...we expect better from u pakistan...come on!!
and my family and friends will also go with me to convince them.
Pakistani ruling and governing class lives in a different world than rest of the Pakistan. Our cricket is in a serious hole, and all ECB chairman can think of is playing India.
How come he did not go to Zimbabwe
First time when PTV didn't placed a bid and broadcasting rights went to your Media Corporation.