Former Chief Executive Officer, Haroon Lorgat, has said that Pakistan’s bad day in cricket are finally over and international cricket will return to Pakistan after launching of Pakistan Premier League.
“Pak cricket suffered a lot in previous years owing to various reasons and I believe it’s (Pakistan) bad days in cricket are now over and good days will be coming soon with the return of international cricket,” he said while addressing a news conference here on Thursday evening at Gadaffi stadium. Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Asrhaf and Director General, PCB, CEO,Subhan Ahmad were also present on the occasion.
Lorgat who is currently working as an advisor with the Sri Lankan Cricket Board said PCB is working in right direction for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan and its Chairman is fully determined to see foreign teams visiting Pakistan in near future.
“I think holding of Pakistan Premier League is a step forward in this direction and when foreign players will be visiting Pakistan for participation in the league it will create a better image of Pakistan and thus the foreign teams will be feeling motivated to visit Pakistan “,said the former ICC official who held meetings with the PCB Chairman in regard to holding of PPL.
Praising PCB Chairman’s role and efforts for bringing back international cricket, Lorgat said still more sincere efforts are needed to restore the confidence of foreign players and teams for visiting Pakistan .
“If PCB assigns me any role for convincing foreign players to visit Pakistan surely I will do that because I can fit in that role as I did during Sri Lankan Premier League,” he added.
He said Games Ruling Body, the international cricket council is also supporting Pakistan as far resumption of international cricket is concerned . “ICC always supports its affiliated members and it is giving important to Pakistan’s efforts for the revival of international cricket by extending necessary help and cooperation ‘.
He said the holding of PPL will open doors of international cricket to Pakistan besides serving as a profit making venture for PCB.
The former ICC CEO said at the time of start of T-20 cricket, not only the spectators but also the cricketers did not like the fast paced version and now this format of the game has gained immense popularity among the cricket playing teams and fans across the globe.
He expressed the0 hope that PCB would be able to get the participation of leading cricketers in PPL as the PCB is enjoying very cordial relations with cricket boards and players.
PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashrsaf said praised the expertise of Haroon Lorgat and said he is big support to Pakistan cricket and its endeavor to stage PPL .
“We look forward to get benefit from his experience,” he said. He furthyer added: “The PCB is fully determined to hold the PPL and by that way we will be able to bring back international cricket in our arenas.”
