Zaka http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397 positive about international cricket returning to Pakistan
The chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf is quite optimistic about the imminent return of international cricket to the country and hopes that the ongoing home series of Pakistan against England in the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) will be the last home series played overseas.
PCB has been in talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to convince the latter that they send its national team to Pakistan in April this year, and Ashraf is optimistic that if the BCB agrees to send its team to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 it would
be a huge step forward for future home series.
"This http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 series could be our last series to be held at an offshore venue," said the PCB chief in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
"We are keen to host international teams just like other member boards are doing. We are already engaged with the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gareth-Berg-c1457,” he added further.
Ashraf, who took over as PCB chairman in October last year from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 after his three-year tenure came to an end. He said that the board was in contact with the government of Pakistan and the country’s top leadership has given
their full support over hosting Bangladesh in April.
The interior ministry had earlier assured fool proof security for the tour and had given its consent on buying two new bomb and bullet proof buses for the visiting players.
Pakistan has not hosted an international match since March 2009, when the touring Sri Lankan team was attacked by militants on their way to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Five Lankan players were injured during the attack. No team wanted
to visit Pakistan after the attack and the PCB subsequently lost its hosting rights for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World Cup 2011.
Ever since the attacks, Pakistan has been hosting its home series on neutral venues of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/United-Arab-Emirates-c3033 and England. Ashraf said that hosting cricket at offshore venues has never been their first preference, adding that it
is tough for both the board, as well as the team who lose out on home advantage.
"I am in talks with all the member boards, writing them letters offering opportunities to talk about our mutual interests. I have received very positive responses from all parts of the world, including from the ICC," revealed the
PCB chairman.
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