Zaheer Abbas. PHOTO: FILE
“It has hurt our cricket enormously. Teams have not been coming to Pakistan since 2009 and in all these years our younger set of players have not got the right exposure or opportunities to develop themselves,” said Zaheer.
The 'Asian Bradman' added that absence of international cricket has led to the a stunted growth of young players.
“The rest of the cricket nations have moved ahead their players are getting an opportunity to improve in the IPL and at home. Our players sadly are not getting those chances,” he said.
“It is a good sign that Zimbabwe came last month but there is still lot of work to be done before we can have regular international matches in Pakistan,” he added.
Read: Zaheer Abbas nominated for ICC presidency
Zaheer said he was honored by the opportunity PCB has provided him with and he will make full use of it to help revive cricket in Pakistan.
“I have many ideas in my mind which I would like to share in the ICC and I realise I am going there as an ambassador of Pakistan cricket,” he said.
Read: Javed Miandad feels PCB sidelined Zaheer Abbas
He further added that PCB should give a thought to the formation of an advisory board consisting of former players.
“Why not it is a good step forward for India and I think the PCB should also give more responsibilities to players outside the board,” he said.
Zaheer concluded that cricket might have changed but timing still remains the best weapon in the armory of the batsmen.
“Cricket is not a sport for wrestlers it is still all about timing. There be more money and professionalism in the sport today compared to when we played but the basics remain the same,” he added.
The article originally appeared on The Hindu
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