Chief Executive, Asian Cricket Council, Ashraful Haq said on Tuesday that there is no security issue in Pakistan for holding international cricket and ACC was striving for resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.
“We are fully aware of the cricket affairs in Pakistan and we believe there is no security concern as far as holding of international cricket is concerned and we are supporting Pakistan on this issue,” he told reporters during his visit to National Cricket Academy along with members of Asian Development committee of ACC. Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohammad Zaka Ashraf was also present. He said the final decision of bringing back international cricket to Pakistan will be taken by the games ruling body, the international cricket council after taking into consideration every aspect. “ICC is the competent authority to decide in this regard and we will be fully supporting Pakistan’s stance for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan,” he added.
ACC official said ACC was endeavouring for the cause of cricket development in Asia by mobilizing its all recourses. “We will be distributing us dollars 6.1 million among the eighteen countries of Asia for cricket development”, he said. He said the ACC meeting which held at Islamabad granted affiliation to three Asian countries including China, Afghanistan and Cambodia. “We are expanding the base of cricket in Asia and granting affiliation to those countries which are engaged in the rapid promotion of cricket is a part of our development plan,” he asserted.
He said China is emerging as a strong force in cricket and in next ten years it is likely that it will establish its reputation as a strong cricketing nation. Chairman ,PCB expressed the optimism that international cricket will return to Pakistan next year as PCB was making all out efforts in this regard.
“We are very confident about it (return of cricket) and we will be coming across many speed breakers and we will be overcoming all such hurdles with mutual understanding and efforts,” he said. He said the ACC meeting helped in enhancing the confidence of participants and to portray a better image of Pakistan. “We want to ensure the outer world that Pakistan is a peaceful country and its people are friendly and extend warm welcome to their guests,” he added. “It was a very productive meeting which discussed ways and means for the development of cricket in Asia and we look forward to host similar ventures in future as well,” said the Chairman PCB.
