PCB still hopeful of hosting India in Pakistan: Shahryar Khan
PCB chairman says Asif and Butt's return to first-class cricket depends on performance in rehabilitation programme
A file photo of Shahryar Khan addressing a press conference in Lahore. PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan said the board is still hopeful of hosting the Indian cricket team on home soil, Express News reported.
"Tensions between the countries should not affect cricketing relations," the PCB chairman said, while addressing the media in Gujranwala.
"The board is still working to resume cricket with India," he added.
Read: We won't kneel down before India, says Shahryar Khan
The PCB chairman's comments come days after he said Pakistan won’t kneel down before India for a series. “It does not matter whether we play India or not as already no series has not taken place in so many years,” he said, while talking to media at Pindi Stadium late Tuesday.
Commenting on the proposal of Pakistan-India series in December in UAE, Shahryar said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet replied on the proposal.
Read: India will reply to PCB in October, says BCCI vice-president
However, BCCI vice-president TC Mathew on Friday said that India has not really rejected the idea of Pakistan-India series in December and the reply on the series is expected in October.
Mathew, who was in Dubai on Friday at the opening of the Kricket’s Spearo Academy told Sports360, “Look, it’s only September and the series is scheduled in December so maybe in October they could make a call.”
No early return for Asif, Salman
Further, the PCB chairman said the board will decide about the return of Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt to first-class cricket once their rehabilitation programme is completed.
Read: PCB announces plan for Asif, Butt and Amir’s reintegration
Explaining the conditions of their return, Shahryar said as per the directives of ICC, PCB has devised a programme, under which the two players are visiting different cities and meeting players and association members.
”They will inform the players what they had done and admit they are ashamed of it,” the PCB chairman said, adding that upon completion of their rehabilitation programme the board will evaluate their performance and decide whether they should be allowed to play first-class cricket.
Read: Amir taking things step by step for Pakistan return
Shahryar further said Muhammad Amir's case is different from that of Asif and Butt. “ICC had forgiven Amir and the board was informed that he could qualify to play domestic cricket. Hence, he was given a chance to play in domestic T20 recently,” said PCB chairman.
"Tensions between the countries should not affect cricketing relations," the PCB chairman said, while addressing the media in Gujranwala.
"The board is still working to resume cricket with India," he added.
Read: We won't kneel down before India, says Shahryar Khan
The PCB chairman's comments come days after he said Pakistan won’t kneel down before India for a series. “It does not matter whether we play India or not as already no series has not taken place in so many years,” he said, while talking to media at Pindi Stadium late Tuesday.
Commenting on the proposal of Pakistan-India series in December in UAE, Shahryar said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet replied on the proposal.
Read: India will reply to PCB in October, says BCCI vice-president
However, BCCI vice-president TC Mathew on Friday said that India has not really rejected the idea of Pakistan-India series in December and the reply on the series is expected in October.
Mathew, who was in Dubai on Friday at the opening of the Kricket’s Spearo Academy told Sports360, “Look, it’s only September and the series is scheduled in December so maybe in October they could make a call.”
No early return for Asif, Salman
Further, the PCB chairman said the board will decide about the return of Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt to first-class cricket once their rehabilitation programme is completed.
Read: PCB announces plan for Asif, Butt and Amir’s reintegration
Explaining the conditions of their return, Shahryar said as per the directives of ICC, PCB has devised a programme, under which the two players are visiting different cities and meeting players and association members.
”They will inform the players what they had done and admit they are ashamed of it,” the PCB chairman said, adding that upon completion of their rehabilitation programme the board will evaluate their performance and decide whether they should be allowed to play first-class cricket.
Read: Amir taking things step by step for Pakistan return
Shahryar further said Muhammad Amir's case is different from that of Asif and Butt. “ICC had forgiven Amir and the board was informed that he could qualify to play domestic cricket. Hence, he was given a chance to play in domestic T20 recently,” said PCB chairman.