Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
"Bringing MCC as the 1st non-Asian touring team to come to Pak is a huge achievement" : Wasim Khan
Wasim Khan at a press conference with Kumar Sangakkara:
"On behalf of the PCB, I'd like to welcome the MCC. Particularly Kumar Sangakkara. Back in September, I was invited to the ICC World Cricket Committee to make a presentation on the security situation in Pakistan.
"What became apparent from an early time was that Kumar was a huge advocate for Pakistan. He was an ambassador for bringing cricket back to Pakistan and he understood what it meant for the nation to have cricket on home soil. It's a momentous occasion for us to have the MCC coming back to Pakistan after 48 years.
"MCC is the biggest and most prestigious cricket club in the world, based at Lord's, the Home of Cricket. This is a very symbolic moment for us. We've seen huge progress over the past few months to bring white-ball cricket to Pakistan sustainably. But more importantly, Test cricket which is the health check of a cricketing nation.
"Getting cricket back and bringing MCC as the first non-Asian touring team to come to Pakistan is a huge achievement, a great moment for us and we're delighted that we invited MCC and they accepted.
"The MCC is made up of a lot of good FC players, established FC players. We're delighted that we've got a number of counties represented in this squad. I'd like to extend our thanks as a nation for his support and for the MCC's in coming over to Pakistan.
"Asian teams are coming to Pakistan but to get the MCC here is a major coup. To understand the symbolic nature of the MCC, you need to look at the history of the game and where cricket has emanated from. MCC have been the custodians of the game for a long time, based at Lord's. For us to secure the MCC and for them to come to Pakistan is a huge coup for us. Until we break that barrier of having non-Asian countries coming, it's always going to be difficult to make that first step.
"Kumar has been adamant from the word go that Pakistan was a safe place to play cricket. There was a need to bring cricket back to the country for the nation and the people. Also for our sustainability as a nation. We thrive on youngsters growing up on the streets playing cricket and we need local role models and it's difficult to have them when they're playing thousands of miles away in the UAE.
"To have cricket back in our own nation, youngsters will watch the game and see their heroes play. We need the youngsters coming through wanting to be the next Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Babar Azam or Shaheen Afridi.
"We're expecting SA to make a decision in the next few days. The board are supportive, they're speaking to the players to address any issues or concerns they might have.
"There's a huge willingness from the BCCI and PCB to play against eachother. Cricket is the thing that we as a nation love and the Indian people love. Sadly, there are always political factors involved that are outside our control. Realistically, bilateral series may not happen for a period of time but ultimately, cricket transcends all barriers and brings nations and people together. At some stage, we will resume cricket because that's what the people and players of both countries want.
"When we apply state level security, which the PM signs off, some protocols have to be followed. It's not ideal for Lahore, Karachi, etc., for roads to be closed off, shops in the vicinity are closed. We understand that it creates a disruption for people. We have to find the balance that is right where players and officials feel comfortable and also to not hinder the lives of people living in those cities. We haven't got it right yet but as more countries come, it will become easier. We can start to lower the level of security.
"With the MCC team, we've organised for them to play golf. PSL teams will be playing golf and will be going to shopping centres, they will be doing as many normal things as possible but there is a protocol that we have to follow. We're never going to become complacent as a country, we've seen major things happen here in the past and we're moving forward. We're delighted that cricket is coming back to normality gradually.
"We are hopeful of putting a strong case to the ICC for hosting at least 1 if not 2 ICC global events in the new rights cycle.
"SA will come to Pakistan in January next year. They will play 2 Tests and 3 T20Is when they come. We will try to provide a more balanced schedule of matches. With short tours, it makes sense to have them in one city."
Wasim Khan at a press conference with Kumar Sangakkara:
"On behalf of the PCB, I'd like to welcome the MCC. Particularly Kumar Sangakkara. Back in September, I was invited to the ICC World Cricket Committee to make a presentation on the security situation in Pakistan.
"What became apparent from an early time was that Kumar was a huge advocate for Pakistan. He was an ambassador for bringing cricket back to Pakistan and he understood what it meant for the nation to have cricket on home soil. It's a momentous occasion for us to have the MCC coming back to Pakistan after 48 years.
"MCC is the biggest and most prestigious cricket club in the world, based at Lord's, the Home of Cricket. This is a very symbolic moment for us. We've seen huge progress over the past few months to bring white-ball cricket to Pakistan sustainably. But more importantly, Test cricket which is the health check of a cricketing nation.
"Getting cricket back and bringing MCC as the first non-Asian touring team to come to Pakistan is a huge achievement, a great moment for us and we're delighted that we invited MCC and they accepted.
"The MCC is made up of a lot of good FC players, established FC players. We're delighted that we've got a number of counties represented in this squad. I'd like to extend our thanks as a nation for his support and for the MCC's in coming over to Pakistan.
"Asian teams are coming to Pakistan but to get the MCC here is a major coup. To understand the symbolic nature of the MCC, you need to look at the history of the game and where cricket has emanated from. MCC have been the custodians of the game for a long time, based at Lord's. For us to secure the MCC and for them to come to Pakistan is a huge coup for us. Until we break that barrier of having non-Asian countries coming, it's always going to be difficult to make that first step.
"Kumar has been adamant from the word go that Pakistan was a safe place to play cricket. There was a need to bring cricket back to the country for the nation and the people. Also for our sustainability as a nation. We thrive on youngsters growing up on the streets playing cricket and we need local role models and it's difficult to have them when they're playing thousands of miles away in the UAE.
"To have cricket back in our own nation, youngsters will watch the game and see their heroes play. We need the youngsters coming through wanting to be the next Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Babar Azam or Shaheen Afridi.
"We're expecting SA to make a decision in the next few days. The board are supportive, they're speaking to the players to address any issues or concerns they might have.
"There's a huge willingness from the BCCI and PCB to play against eachother. Cricket is the thing that we as a nation love and the Indian people love. Sadly, there are always political factors involved that are outside our control. Realistically, bilateral series may not happen for a period of time but ultimately, cricket transcends all barriers and brings nations and people together. At some stage, we will resume cricket because that's what the people and players of both countries want.
"When we apply state level security, which the PM signs off, some protocols have to be followed. It's not ideal for Lahore, Karachi, etc., for roads to be closed off, shops in the vicinity are closed. We understand that it creates a disruption for people. We have to find the balance that is right where players and officials feel comfortable and also to not hinder the lives of people living in those cities. We haven't got it right yet but as more countries come, it will become easier. We can start to lower the level of security.
"With the MCC team, we've organised for them to play golf. PSL teams will be playing golf and will be going to shopping centres, they will be doing as many normal things as possible but there is a protocol that we have to follow. We're never going to become complacent as a country, we've seen major things happen here in the past and we're moving forward. We're delighted that cricket is coming back to normality gradually.
"We are hopeful of putting a strong case to the ICC for hosting at least 1 if not 2 ICC global events in the new rights cycle.
"SA will come to Pakistan in January next year. They will play 2 Tests and 3 T20Is when they come. We will try to provide a more balanced schedule of matches. With short tours, it makes sense to have them in one city."
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