ECB Chairman Clarke says ICC World XI will tour Pakistan
There may still be light at the end of the tunnel for Pakistan, as far as international cricket in the country is concerned. Giles http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 2009, when the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore during the 2nd Test match.
Clarke said that it is the duty of World cricket to keep helping Pakistan raise funds and keep moving in the right direction. In the latest issue of Wisden Cricket Magazine, Clarke wrote that he knows that the challenges in Pakistan are great as far as security is concerned. He added that terrorists should not be allowed to win. He said that the terrorists should be beaten by an innings.
Clarke, who is also the head of task force that is given the responsibility to bring back cricket in Pakistan said that, cricket has to return to Pakistan. He said that admittedly it is not possible for international teams to return to Pakistan just now, but in due time it would get better and it has to. Clarke said that they are preparing a World XI that would tour Pakistan and play in some major test centres to prove to the world that cricket can be played in Pakistan and hopefully it would be a great initiative that may prompt other teams to do so.
Clarke added that cricket can simply not afford to outcast a country with such passion for the game. He said that Pakistan has a rich history in cricket and the fans in Pakistan are very passionate about their game. The England and Wales Cricket Chairman said that it is only a matter of time when the historic day would come when an ICC XI would play cricket in Pakistan.
Giles went on to say that, it is not only the fact that fans in Pakistan have been deprived of international cricket, but there are also other factors to consider. He said that if the young Pakistan team does not get a chance to play on home turf they will never have the home advantage in any series. He went on to say that there is also the financial aspect of the game. Clarke said that Pakistan Cricket Board’s revenue has come down to 10 million pounds from 27 million. He said that it is a serious issue and ICC is aware of that and doing all they can to facilitate one of its oldest test members.
England Cricket Board has shown great intent in offering Pakistan to stage their home matches in England, as they played http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 played in England and it would help Pakistan in more ways than one.
Apart from England Pakistan, has played its home series on other neutral venues, such as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. ICC has said that in due time they hope to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and prove to the world that terrorists cannot win.
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