Revival of international cricket in Pakistan; ECB chairman supports the notion; suggests sending in ICC World XI
Pakistan’s cricket, which has been struggling lately, got a new boost from the announcement of ICC World XI’s tour to that country. ECB’s chairman has asked the ICC to help Pakistan get back on its feet and once again be able to host the international matches. Giles Clarke hinted that the ICC World XI will tour Pakistan soon to help Pakistan combat its decaying domestic scene. Pakistan has been deprived of the opportunity to host any international matches since the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team at Lahore.
ECB’s chairman, Clarke in a magazine interview, said, “The international cricket must go back and play in Pakistan. I don’t think it will be possible for the national teams to individually tour that country yet but with determination and courage an ICC World XI in due course will go and play against Pakistan in its great cities and there will be a marvelous atmosphere.” According to him, it will be a disservice to cricket if the cricketing world abandoned a country like Pakistan that is famous for its fervent fans and rich cricketing history. Clarke further believes that Pakistan has been the producer of brilliant players throughout its cricketing history. He asserted that it will be a historic moment when the international cricket resumes in Pakistan and the first ICC team walks out on the Pakistani soil.
Clarke, who is also the chairman of ICC's Pakistan Task Team, revealed that the absence of international cricket from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 has resulted in a loss of £2.7 million to £10 million for the PCB. He assured that the ECB will be more than willing to host neutral matches featuring Pakistan in order to help PCB curtail its losses. He said, “The ECB intends to assist in staging more Pakistan games in England during 2011 and 2012. The atmosphere and the passionate support along with the tremendous cricket played by the Pakistani team made it a compelling experience. The PCB's economic needs also make it imperative.”
On the other hand, PCB’s Chairman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120’s assertions will give a major boost to the ailing condition of cricket in Pakistan. He said, “The people of Pakistan are true cricket lovers who have their heroes not only from their home side but also from other international teams and they love watching them so if that happens it would be great for the Pakistani cricket.”
Butt’s English counterpart Andrew Strauss has also expressed his support for the cause. According to him, it would provide much needed exposure to Pakistan’http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Young-c87719 talent. He opines that Pakistan’s cricket seems starved for some time now but it is the responsibility of the international cricketing community to help Pakistan in its difficult times. Strauss also expressed his interest in touring Pakistan but he apprehended that such a visit is only possible if the security situation in that country improves. Strauss said that Pakistan has been under hot water recently due to natural disasters and then it is also the victim of terrorism. According to him, factors like these affect the team and players’ abilities in the field as their attention diverts.
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