LAHORE: International Cricket Council (ICC)’s former president Zaheer Abbas has praised the role of the council for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan by sending its World XI to cricket starved country.
“ICC has done a tremendous job by supplementing the efforts of Pakistan Cricket Board for bringing back international cricket, and its role will always be remembered in Pakistan cricket history,” he told the news agency on Thursday.
Zaheer Abbas, a former Pakistan captain and a batting great, said that without the all-out support of the ICC it was not possible to arrange the tour of World XI, which has opened the doors of international cricket on Pakistan.
“Punjab government and our security agencies also played a paramount role in ensuring this elite cricket event by providing foolproof security to the foreign teams and officials,” he said.
“Dark nights of Pakistan cricket are finally over and a new era of cricket has begun in the country, which is evident from the immense interest of crowd assembled during the first two T20 matches,” he added.
“Both (PCB and the ICC) worked hard in close coordination to address the issue of return of international cricket, and similar efforts are needed in future as well to have such international events in the country on regular basis,” he asserted.
Former ICC president pointed out that during his stint with cricket’s ruling body, he also encouraged and supported the moves of the PCB for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.
He said it was unfortunate that Pakistan was deprived of international cricket during the past nine years and its cricket arenas wore a deserted look and cricket suffered a lot.
Zaheer appreciated the efforts of newly elected PCB chairman for taking constructive measures for making it possible that foreign teams agree to visit Pakistan.
The former batting icon said due to PCB’s persistent efforts, Sri Lanka and West Indies have also agreed to visit Pakistan in the coming months, which will be making Pakistan cricket ‘memorable’ as watching three foreign teams playing quality cricket will have a greater impact on our national cricket.
“Cricket is a binding force and adds to national unity and brotherhood, it is the identity of Pakistan globally due to country’s excellence because of team’s success in world cup, years ago and now in Champions Trophy,” he said, adding “the resumption of international cricket will help in enhancing the confidence and experience of the players while playing in their own stadiums in front of lively crowds.”
