KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Najam Sethi said that he is looking forward to more international cricket being played in Pakistan during 2018, with a promise to fans of the sport that he will urge Australia and New Zealand to play at least one match in Pakistan during their series later this year.
The PCB’s chairman observed that 2017 was a productive and successful year for the country and that this year will bring more success to Pakistan cricket in a video message.
“Last year was very good for cricket. PCB and our team have achieved a lot in 2017. It was the collective dedication and team spirit that we did well. We are on a winning streak and it will continue,” he said in the video message released by PCB.
Sethi hinted that Pakistan’s success of hosting international cricket in the previous year could be the door to hosting more international cricket matches for Pakistani cricket fans at home and termed the Champions Trophy victory as the greatest moment in the recent history of Pakistan cricket.
“We will have two PSL matches in Lahore and a final in Karachi. West Indies will also come to play three matches after PSL,” he said and added, “Champions Trophy win was the greatest moment in our history. Beating India, what a wonderful day, what a great day”.
“Then we are scheduled to host Australia and New Zealand for our home series in UAE. I will try my best to convince both of them to play at least one match in Pakistan during the series,” he added.
Australia is scheduled to play five ODIs and one T20I in October while New Zealand will tour for a full series of three tests, five ODIs and a T-20 in November this year.
“We are now on track. We have achieved top position in T20Is and InshaAllah we will achieve same in ODIs too very soon,” he hoped.
The chairman stated that the return of international cricket was also a big success for PCB.
“We hosted the PSL final, then World XI team came and then Sri Lanka arrived and played in Pakistan. West Indies will come and play in Pakistan in March,” he said.
He pointed out that Pakistan team’s World Cup 2019 preparation is also on track.
