HYDERABAD:
Chairman Pakistan Cricket Boarad (PCB) Zaka Ashraf has expressed the
hope for a revival of the international cricket after the anticipated
visit of Bangladesh cricket team in April this year.
He said this while addressing a press conference here on Sunday at the golden jubilee celebration of Niaz Stadium.
A T-20 match between Patron's XI and Chairman' XI was also organized to mark the event and the winning team was awarded Rs 25,000 prize.
"In the beginning of the year 2011, Pakistan cricket team was under pressure but it fought back and by the year end won international ranking for itself as well as for the players," he observed.
Ashraf said that the team was mobilized and in high moral spirit.
The PCB chairman lamented that the series against England, which starts from January 17 in United Arab Emirates, could not be organized in the country.
However, he was optimistic about the team's performance against England in the upcoming series which includes Test, one day and T-20 matches.
Talking about the Bangladesh's visit in April 2012, he said the country's security experts would be arriving in Pakistan in January to finalize the arrangements.
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik had assured us of concrete security arrangements and deployment of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary along with the police for the security", he added.
"Bangladesh will bring a revival of international cricket in Pakistan and the deserted cricket stadiums will again become spright," he hoped.
Ashraf also urged the media to play its role in dispelling wrong perceptions about security in Pakistan.
Responding to a question as to why adequate celebrations are not planned for the stadium's golden jubilee, Ashraf agreeing with the questioner announced that a festival in that regard would be organized soon.
"We were hoping to see the people of Hyderabad, students and youth turn up for the celebrations but it didn't happen which is disappointing. We will again celebrate the golden jubilee after flood lights are installed at the stadium soon," he said.
In July 2007, District Government Hyderabad handed over Niaz Stadium to the PCB under a memorandum of understanding for its development to the international standard.
When asked why the promised development has not been made, Ashraf attributed that to a ban of international matches in Pakistan.
However, he added that as soon as the international sport was restored in the country the development of all the stadiums would follow.
Mir Hyder Talpur, chairman Regional Cricket Association, Hyderabad Region, said after the stadium's handover more than Rs 15 million were spent on various facilities and the outfield.
Ashraf said Javed Miandad was the cricket ambassador of Pakistan and currently performing his responsibilities for developing cricket in the friendly nation China.
He said legendary cricketers like Intikhab Alam and others were making efforts to develop domestic cricket in Pakistan and the establishment of new cricket grounds in small districts by the PCB would be a great help in that regard.
To a question about making former cricketer Mohsin Hassan Khan the coach of Pakistani team, Ashraf said though Khan was a respectable cricketer but does not qualify for the post.
The PCB's media manager Nadeem Sarwar, Commissioner Hyderabad division Ahmed Narejo, Deputy Commissioner Asif Memon and other officials were also present on the occasion.
He said this while addressing a press conference here on Sunday at the golden jubilee celebration of Niaz Stadium.
A T-20 match between Patron's XI and Chairman' XI was also organized to mark the event and the winning team was awarded Rs 25,000 prize.
"In the beginning of the year 2011, Pakistan cricket team was under pressure but it fought back and by the year end won international ranking for itself as well as for the players," he observed.
Ashraf said that the team was mobilized and in high moral spirit.
The PCB chairman lamented that the series against England, which starts from January 17 in United Arab Emirates, could not be organized in the country.
However, he was optimistic about the team's performance against England in the upcoming series which includes Test, one day and T-20 matches.
Talking about the Bangladesh's visit in April 2012, he said the country's security experts would be arriving in Pakistan in January to finalize the arrangements.
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik had assured us of concrete security arrangements and deployment of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary along with the police for the security", he added.
"Bangladesh will bring a revival of international cricket in Pakistan and the deserted cricket stadiums will again become spright," he hoped.
Ashraf also urged the media to play its role in dispelling wrong perceptions about security in Pakistan.
Responding to a question as to why adequate celebrations are not planned for the stadium's golden jubilee, Ashraf agreeing with the questioner announced that a festival in that regard would be organized soon.
"We were hoping to see the people of Hyderabad, students and youth turn up for the celebrations but it didn't happen which is disappointing. We will again celebrate the golden jubilee after flood lights are installed at the stadium soon," he said.
In July 2007, District Government Hyderabad handed over Niaz Stadium to the PCB under a memorandum of understanding for its development to the international standard.
When asked why the promised development has not been made, Ashraf attributed that to a ban of international matches in Pakistan.
However, he added that as soon as the international sport was restored in the country the development of all the stadiums would follow.
Mir Hyder Talpur, chairman Regional Cricket Association, Hyderabad Region, said after the stadium's handover more than Rs 15 million were spent on various facilities and the outfield.
Ashraf said Javed Miandad was the cricket ambassador of Pakistan and currently performing his responsibilities for developing cricket in the friendly nation China.
He said legendary cricketers like Intikhab Alam and others were making efforts to develop domestic cricket in Pakistan and the establishment of new cricket grounds in small districts by the PCB would be a great help in that regard.
To a question about making former cricketer Mohsin Hassan Khan the coach of Pakistani team, Ashraf said though Khan was a respectable cricketer but does not qualify for the post.
The PCB's media manager Nadeem Sarwar, Commissioner Hyderabad division Ahmed Narejo, Deputy Commissioner Asif Memon and other officials were also present on the occasion.
