PCB chief urges fans to give rousing welcome to Zimbabwe cricket team
Afridi praises Zimbabwe's 'courage' saying he is "delighted to see the return of international cricket to...
A file photo of Shahryar Khan. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE/KARACHI:
The drought of international cricket in Pakistan has finally ended as Zimbabwe’s national team landed in Lahore to play the first series in six years after an attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in 2009 led to suspension of international cricket.
It has been a tough journey for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), cricketers and fans as Pakistan had to play its home series in the UAE.
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said it was a big breakthrough that Pakistan has convinced a full Test playing nation to come and play in the country.
“This would open doors for more tours in future,’ Shaharyar told The Express Tribune. “As we say a 1,000 miles journey starts with a single step, we hope this single step would allow us to host bigger teams as well. I urge the public to give rousing welcome to Zimbabwe cricket team…it was certainly not easy for them to come to Pakistan but they have made it, which is tremendous for fans, cricketers and Pakistan cricket.”
Read: Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan on schedule: Shahryar Khan
When asked if he would rate the accomplishment of holding an international tour as one of his best as the PCB Chairman, Shaharyar said it was the board’s collective effort, which made it possible.
Several national players including Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Akmal and others would be playing international cricket at home for the first time in their career, and the PCB chief feels temperament of these players would be tested.
“It is different to play in front of a full stadium at home,” he said.
Shahryar recalled there certainly were hiccups when there was confusion regarding Zimbabwe’s arrival, which did worry the PCB but Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) officials played a significant role in convincing their government that the tour would be safe.
“Zimbabwe will certainly reap benefits of the tour but they are much lesser as compared to Pakistan,” he said. “We’ll gain a lot more.”
Meanwhile, ex-PCB chairman and current governing board member Najam Sethi appreciated efforts of the Punjab government, saying this would not have been possible without their support.
“It was their security assurance which led us to believe we could host Zimababwe,” said Sethi. “Hopefully everything will go smoothly, and more teams would be attracted to Pakistan, and a lot depends on this tour.”
Afridi praises Zimbabwe 'courage'
Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi Tuesday led Pakistan in welcoming the Zimbabwe team and praised the visitors' "courage" after they became the first Test-playing nation to visit in six years.
PHOTO: AFP
Zimbabwe arrived early Tuesday under top-level security, and are set to play two Twenty20 internationals on Friday and Sunday followed by three one-day matches on May 26, 29 and 31, all in Lahore.
"I am delighted to see the return of international cricket to Pakistan," Afridi told AFP. "It is like the spring of cricket after six years of autumn."
"The courage of the Zimbabwe team must be praised and they delighted our fans who have been waiting for international cricket for quite some time now."
Read: Shoaib, Sami make comeback, Ajmal left out of Pakistan T20 squad
The tour was almost called off last week after gunmen massacred 45 Ismaili Shias in Karachi, but in the end Zimbabwe decided to go ahead.
ODI captain Azhar Ali, who made his debut in 2010 and has never played at home, added it was a dream come true for players like himself.
"I am elated at the return of cricket to Pakistan," Ali told AFP. "It will be a special day for player like me who have not played before their home crowds and don't know the taste of playing on our grounds."
"Our fans have been deprived of watching their stars on their home grounds and this coming series will give inspiration to the young players," Ali said.
"I pray that this tour goes without any problem so that more and more teams come and play on our grounds," he added.
The drought of international cricket in Pakistan has finally ended as Zimbabwe’s national team landed in Lahore to play the first series in six years after an attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in 2009 led to suspension of international cricket.
It has been a tough journey for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), cricketers and fans as Pakistan had to play its home series in the UAE.
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said it was a big breakthrough that Pakistan has convinced a full Test playing nation to come and play in the country.
“This would open doors for more tours in future,’ Shaharyar told The Express Tribune. “As we say a 1,000 miles journey starts with a single step, we hope this single step would allow us to host bigger teams as well. I urge the public to give rousing welcome to Zimbabwe cricket team…it was certainly not easy for them to come to Pakistan but they have made it, which is tremendous for fans, cricketers and Pakistan cricket.”
Read: Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan on schedule: Shahryar Khan
When asked if he would rate the accomplishment of holding an international tour as one of his best as the PCB Chairman, Shaharyar said it was the board’s collective effort, which made it possible.
Several national players including Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Akmal and others would be playing international cricket at home for the first time in their career, and the PCB chief feels temperament of these players would be tested.
“It is different to play in front of a full stadium at home,” he said.
Shahryar recalled there certainly were hiccups when there was confusion regarding Zimbabwe’s arrival, which did worry the PCB but Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) officials played a significant role in convincing their government that the tour would be safe.
“Zimbabwe will certainly reap benefits of the tour but they are much lesser as compared to Pakistan,” he said. “We’ll gain a lot more.”
Meanwhile, ex-PCB chairman and current governing board member Najam Sethi appreciated efforts of the Punjab government, saying this would not have been possible without their support.
“It was their security assurance which led us to believe we could host Zimababwe,” said Sethi. “Hopefully everything will go smoothly, and more teams would be attracted to Pakistan, and a lot depends on this tour.”
Afridi praises Zimbabwe 'courage'
Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi Tuesday led Pakistan in welcoming the Zimbabwe team and praised the visitors' "courage" after they became the first Test-playing nation to visit in six years.
PHOTO: AFP
Zimbabwe arrived early Tuesday under top-level security, and are set to play two Twenty20 internationals on Friday and Sunday followed by three one-day matches on May 26, 29 and 31, all in Lahore.
"I am delighted to see the return of international cricket to Pakistan," Afridi told AFP. "It is like the spring of cricket after six years of autumn."
"The courage of the Zimbabwe team must be praised and they delighted our fans who have been waiting for international cricket for quite some time now."
Read: Shoaib, Sami make comeback, Ajmal left out of Pakistan T20 squad
The tour was almost called off last week after gunmen massacred 45 Ismaili Shias in Karachi, but in the end Zimbabwe decided to go ahead.
ODI captain Azhar Ali, who made his debut in 2010 and has never played at home, added it was a dream come true for players like himself.
"I am elated at the return of cricket to Pakistan," Ali told AFP. "It will be a special day for player like me who have not played before their home crowds and don't know the taste of playing on our grounds."
"Our fans have been deprived of watching their stars on their home grounds and this coming series will give inspiration to the young players," Ali said.
"I pray that this tour goes without any problem so that more and more teams come and play on our grounds," he added.