Pakistan and India need to Play each other: Shahryar Mohammad Khan
Former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shahryar Khan, has insisted on the need for arch rivals India and Pakistan to resume cricketing ties which have been on halt since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which the India accused Pakistan for sponsoring.
Speaking on the estranged cricketing ties between the two countries and the prospect of India touring Pakistan this year, he said, “We should convert a visit that is supposed to be, let us say India to Pakistan, we convert that by saying let’s start cricket between the two countries, and instead of you coming to us, because you can’t, because of security concerns, we will come to you”.
He revealed that India does not feel it is safe enough for their national team to play in Pakistan because of the depleted law and order situation in the country.
In March this year, Pakistan and India clashed against each other in the semi-final of the ICC world cup, 2011, held in Mohali, which was won by India.
After the epic contest, the Prime Ministers of the two countries expressed a possibility of resuming cricket ties between the uneighbours.
However, there has been no solid development in this regard and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already clarified that due to the hectic schedule of the Indian team, squeezing in a series against Pakistan will be tremendously difficult.
Meanwhile, talking on the possibility of resuming international cricket in the country, Khan said, “We would like foreign teams to come and play against us after such a long time, but we also appreciate that if Sri Lanka can’t come and they have just said that they are not able to come because of the security climate, then it is hardly likely that other teams will come.”
Khan suggested that the current officials of the PCB should gladly consider the option of playing home tournaments in a neutral venue.
Pakistan has in the past year used England and the United Arab Emirates as their neutral ground to play against Australia and South Africa.
Former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shahryar Khan, has insisted on the need for arch rivals India and Pakistan to resume cricketing ties which have been on halt since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which the India accused Pakistan for sponsoring.
Speaking on the estranged cricketing ties between the two countries and the prospect of India touring Pakistan this year, he said, “We should convert a visit that is supposed to be, let us say India to Pakistan, we convert that by saying let’s start cricket between the two countries, and instead of you coming to us, because you can’t, because of security concerns, we will come to you”.
He revealed that India does not feel it is safe enough for their national team to play in Pakistan because of the depleted law and order situation in the country.
In March this year, Pakistan and India clashed against each other in the semi-final of the ICC world cup, 2011, held in Mohali, which was won by India.
After the epic contest, the Prime Ministers of the two countries expressed a possibility of resuming cricket ties between the uneighbours.
However, there has been no solid development in this regard and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already clarified that due to the hectic schedule of the Indian team, squeezing in a series against Pakistan will be tremendously difficult.
Meanwhile, talking on the possibility of resuming international cricket in the country, Khan said, “We would like foreign teams to come and play against us after such a long time, but we also appreciate that if Sri Lanka can’t come and they have just said that they are not able to come because of the security climate, then it is hardly likely that other teams will come.”
Khan suggested that the current officials of the PCB should gladly consider the option of playing home tournaments in a neutral venue.
Pakistan has in the past year used England and the United Arab Emirates as their neutral ground to play against Australia and South Africa.
