"I don't think that teams have any excuses left for not visiting Pakistan" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

[Abdullah719]

"I don't think that teams have any excuses left for not visiting Pakistan" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sarfaraz Ahmed at a presser after Pakistan beat WI 3-0:

"No matter what the opposition's team was like, our boys performed well like Babar Azam, Hussain Talat, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir"

"I think it's unfair to say it's WI's B team. 8 of their players were the same who we faced in West Indies last time and 3-4 were those who played in PSL. I don't think WI was a weak team, I think we played very well"

"Very satisfying when the plans and thoughts go well. We had some new plans, changing the opening partner and giving two new players chances from the beginning. We came with positive thoughts and it was satisfying that the results were good. All the players who were given a chance took advantage, Shaheen Afridi made his debut today and bowled superbly. It's a good sign for Pak cricket that the new guys are getting good opportunities and hopefully they'll make a space in the team for themselves with good performances"

"It's good news that we're finding young players. In the last 1-2 years, the selection committee gets a lot of credit for selecting these players. The team management deserves credit also as we try to give maximum support."

"As for Ahmed, he performed well for us in the last series. For this series, we played 3 fast-bowlers so we needed one more player who can bat and bowl in the middle order so we inducted Hussain Talat in the team and made Babar open. Ahmed is one of our main players and will play for Pakistan in the near future again God-wolling."

"I don't think that teams have any excuses left for not visiting Pakistan. The world has seen how the public turned up today, people weren't expecting that for a dead rubber. Karachi's people showed the world that there can be cricket in Pakistan. I don't think teams should make any more excuses to not visit Pakistan, PSL final happened here, World XI came, SL came, etc. I am hopeful that teams will at least now not make excuses about security concerns. Hopefully in the near future, next year if not this one, there will be cricket in Pakistan God willing"

"I want to praise the people of Karachi for the way they turned out despite security checks and having to walk a lot etc. Karachi's people showed that Karachi is the city of lights. The way the ground was almost full today is praiseworthy. The Armed Forces, Rangers, Police, intelligence agencies all deserve credit while PCB has also played a huge role by making preparations for the games"

"Making a comeback is not difficult for anyone. What we try to do is to ensure that all players get a chance. We knew that if we win 3-0, we'll remain #1 but we weren't scared and were positive and played a completely different bowling attack"

"When you keep winning then expectations obviously increase and hopefully we can keep fulfilling them as we have done so upto now"

"I really enjoyed playing in Karachi, the crowd's response was brilliant no matter what we were doing. We have tough tours coming up, we will try to ensure that we select the best possible team. We have a 20-25 days camp and a few side games so we're hopeful of being well prepared for the series and then performing well"

"We haven't taken any match lightly in this series, it's not easy to play 3 games in 3 days. The boys deserve a lot of credit alongside the management, staff, etc. for taking care of the players"

"So far the partnership with Mickey Arthur is going really well, we have a very good understanding and similar point of views"

 

[babajee]

Just when I thought we had seen the last of Ahmed Shehzad....

 

[DRsohail]

Just when I thought we had seen the last of Ahmed Shehzad....

You never know.it was more of a diplomatic answer.

 

[WengerOut]

Big teams can say they will be high profile targets. There is no dearth of excuses if somebody decides not to tour.

 

[Savak]

Big teams can say they will be high profile targets. There is no dearth of excuses if somebody decides not to tour.

Their excuses will eventually hold no weight given that Pakistan has hosted a good 10-15 international games without incident.

 

[WengerOut]

Their excuses will eventually hold no weight given that Pakistan has hosted a good 10-15 international games without incident.

The key word is "high profile targets"

 

[Savak]

The key word is "high profile targets"

Not with the level of security we are providing successfully

 

[ask_analyse_act]

You never know.it was more of a diplomatic answer.

Yes. When Mickey was interviewed during the match innings answered for the question “ babar opening was it in search of a permanent opening slot. He said yes. I think babar will continue to open in T20Is and will be asked to open in ODIs too I guess.

 

[Asch Ali]

From now I just think team are scared to tour Pakistan because they will loose. I heard a Australia and NZ series is scheduled this year in UAE/Pakistan? Is it true?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Their excuses will eventually hold no weight given that Pakistan has hosted a good 10-15 international games without incident.

There is nothing PCB can do if the big teams dont tour. Even the WI team wad a depleted one.

 

[DRsohail]

There is nothing PCB can do if the big teams dont tour. Even the WI team wad a depleted one.

So you are happy inside.

 

[DRsohail]

The key word is "high profile targets"

Let us do what we can.your suggestions are not needed.such a narrow minded people we have across the border who will always find negative regarding our cricket.
If someone want to tour or not its not your job to come and say bla bla.
We have our own choice if we are happy with WI players then y its a burning sensation across the border.
We will try to do what we can.

 

[DRsohail]

Big teams can say they will be high profile targets. There is no dearth of excuses if somebody decides not to tour.

So you are entitled to find excuses for them.

 

[HARKS]

I thought this is forum, we have discuss all positive and negative aspects of this thread, even IPL is Indian domestic league and it's don't even any Pakistan connection, but Pakistani guy open thread about it, bash it day and night

 

[cricketjoshila]

So you are happy inside.

No. But threats to boards and team wont work. Neither will asking them to be ashamed.

Already said a year back.Security is top notch.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I thought this is forum, we have discuss all positive and negative aspects of this thread, even IPL is Indian domestic league and it's don't even any Pakistan connection, but Pakistani guy open thread about it, bash it day and night

So Pakistan holding nearly 10 house full games in the last 2 years is somehow a negative aspect? ok.....

 

[HARKS]

So Pakistan holding nearly 10 house full games in the last 2 years is somehow a negative aspect? ok.....

With city lockdown, 10000 forces, of course it's a negative aspect

 

[HARKS]

First,Mind u this situation is brought by ur people by not providing security arrangments knowing fully well there is danger, therefore no matter how long it takes u don't have moral right to demand others to tour

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

With city lockdown, 10000 forces, of course it's a negative aspect

Are you a Pakistani? If the people who are going through this lockdown do not have a problem WHO ARE YOU to say it's a negative aspect or not?????

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

First,Mind u this situation is brought by ur people by not providing security arrangments knowing fully well there is danger, therefore no matter how long it takes u don't have moral right to demand others to tour

The situation that you're telling us about happned in 2009, two governments have nearly completed their terms each and there has been a full fledge operation (which is world reknown) since 2013. If you can't comprehend this simple fact then I'll just feel for your comprehesion skills....

 

[HARKS]

Are you a Pakistani? If the people who are going through this lockdown do not have a problem WHO ARE YOU to say it's a negative aspect or not?????

But players playing against Pakistan are not Pakistani right?
They got say to tour or not bcz just to prove ur country is safe to play cricket, they cannot bet their lives

 

[HARKS]

The situation that you're telling us about happned in 2009, two governments have nearly completed their terms each and there has been a full fledge operation (which is world reknown) since 2013. If you can't comprehend this simple fact then I'll just feel for your comprehesion skills....

No matter how long it takes whether it is safe or not is decided by them, u lost ur right to demand when u let that attack happened

 

[WengerOut]

Let us do what we can.your suggestions are not needed.such a narrow minded people we have across the border who will always find negative regarding our cricket.
If someone want to tour or not its not your job to come and say bla bla.
We have our own choice if we are happy with WI players then y its a burning sensation across the border.
We will try to do what we can.

So Sarfaraz said there are no excuses and i put forward one. What is your problem with that?. I am not giving excuse on behalf of them rather providing a scenario and I am pretty sure they will say. In fact they must be already . Whether it is right or wrong is another matter. Obviously I won't be caring whether cricket is coming back to Pakistan or not. If it comes , good for you . If it not , tough luck and better luck next time.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sarfaraz Ahmed "I don’t think now there’s any excuse left with foreign teams not to tour Pakistan. The whole world has seen it. The way people have come to the ground, it proves now international cricket can be staged in Pakistan" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/981448295737380865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[DRsohail]

So Sarfaraz said there are no excuses and i put forward one. What is your problem with that?. I am not giving excuse on behalf of them rather providing a scenario and I am pretty sure they will say. In fact they must be already . Whether it is right or wrong is another matter. Obviously I won't be caring whether cricket is coming back to Pakistan or not. If it comes , good for you . If it not , tough luck and better luck next time.

you are forgetting that you are not the one touring Pakistan. Let them decide rather than you decide.

 

[WengerOut]

you are forgetting that you are not the one touring Pakistan. Let them decide rather than you decide.

I am not TELLING THEM for heavens sake. I am just posting a hypothetical case on a forum. Is that hard to comprehend?

 

[jaguarjack]

too soon to say stuff like that. Let PCB hold a couple of normal tours with one of the teams that's willing to tour (even if they are paid money to do it), then they can shame other teams for not willing to visit. By normal, I mean at least a 3 match T20 series with a 2 day gap between each match. No team that's serious about playing cricket will agree to have matches on consecutive days, even if they are the shortest format. Sufficient rest is needed between matches to recuperate given the physically intensive way cricket is played these days, plus there is the added mental anxiety given the elevated security personal presence. Now regarding the security, visiting teams may/maynot be concerned about city(s) being on virtual lock down during the match days. Sub-continent teams probably don't care, but others might do. But that's up to them. All PCB can do is do their best to make sure there is no mishap vis-a-vis security.

 

[Sachin136]

Is he implying that until now, teams were not touring because of excuses rather than legitimate reasons?

 

[jaguarjack]

Let us do what we can.your suggestions are not needed.such a narrow minded people we have across the border who will always find negative regarding our cricket.
If someone want to tour or not its not your job to come and say bla bla.
We have our own choice if we are happy with WI players then y its a burning sensation across the border.
We will try to do what we can.

calm down.. there are millions of us narrow minded ppl across the border who want to see cricket come back to Pakistan, including Indian team. But these 3 matches in 3 days is no way to convince high profile teams that the security issues are under control.

If the normal life in a major city is disrupted to such an extent for 3 day series, how about a 2 test series? or a 3 match ODI series? Is the normal public ready to sacrifice so much for a chance to say we held a cricket series on our home soil? I know it doesn't concern me but just trying to think from an average joe view point. Your emotions are a bit high right now, but take a little break and think about what it means for thousands of ppl in the city.

Cricket will come back to Pakistan, maybe not immediately, maybe not in the next couple of years. But it will, it has to...

 

[JattMaula]

Is he implying that until now, teams were not touring because of excuses rather than legitimate reasons?

It does sound like that doesn't it?

 

[jnaveen1980]

It is still prerogative of each individual team. Fact that they still had to provide lot of security would make some players nervous. Hope he understands it is not suffice to host a series against a weak team and couple of domestic matches. Each government has some travel advisory to each country. For instance

This is from Australia
http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south/Pages/pakistan.aspx

this is from Canada
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/pakistan

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Is he implying that until now, teams were not touring because of excuses rather than legitimate reasons?

Maybe he is saying that other teams need to be more supportive like they were of India following Mumbai terror incidents. Pakistan has done well to create a situation where teams can tour safely, but they need support of the cricket boards as well, especially as cricket is not a major world sport so it needs a healthy Pakistan cricket scene.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Would have to forego the FTP but Pakistan should invite in the following order:
Sri Lanka
West Indies (full strength)
Bangladesh
South Africa
New Zealand

Big 3 look difficult. Especially Australia since they didn’t used to visit even before 2009.

 

[Itachi]

you are forgetting that you are not the one touring Pakistan. Let them decide rather than you decide.

If the entity is "indian", then we are a share of that entity. As indian, we have every right to say whether we want our team to visit or not. Same as you do in case of Pakistan team.

And this platform is opened to individual opinion as long as it doesn't cross a rule. Being negative about something isn't breaking of T&C. Hence, try to be more open minded for opposing view point.

 

[Itachi]

Maybe he is saying that other teams need to be more supportive like they were of India following Mumbai terror incidents. Pakistan has done well to create a situation where teams can tour safely, but they need support of the cricket boards as well, especially as cricket is not a major world sport so it needs a healthy Pakistan cricket scene.

His words certainly doesn't carry that. Should have atleast stated diplomatically as now its like an insult to the rest of the teams.

 

[IndianFan2018]

Still long way to go before high profile teams tour Pak.

However, good beginning with PSL and WI matches ..Well done PCB, Good luck

 

[IndianFan2018]

His words certainly doesn't carry that. Should have atleast stated diplomatically as now its like an insult to the rest of the teams.

In Short, Trust of opposition (other cricket boards) shouldn't be demanded, rather earned ...

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

His words certainly doesn't carry that. Should have atleast stated diplomatically as now its like an insult to the rest of the teams.

"I don't think that teams have any excuses left for not visiting Pakistan. The world has seen how the public turned up today, people weren't expecting that for a dead rubber. Karachi's people showed the world that there can be cricket in Pakistan. I don't think teams should make any more excuses to not visit Pakistan, PSL final happened here, World XI came, SL came, etc. I am hopeful that teams will at least now not make excuses about security concerns. Hopefully in the near future, next year if not this one, there will be cricket in Pakistan God willing"

Those are his exact words, I think they are diplomatic enough. I am sure that most international cricketers will take them in the right spirit, i.e., he wants them to be welcome in Pakistan. What people on a web forum think his words might mean is probably not as important.

 

[SM1989]

In Short, Trust of opposition (other cricket boards) shouldn't be demanded, rather earned ...

We are through bending over backwards to facilitate the other cricket boards. Its high time they stopped being snobbish. We have proved ourselves. Enough with the drama and the nakhre.

 

[IndianFan2018]

"I don't think that teams have any excuses left for not visiting Pakistan. The world has seen how the public turned up today, people weren't expecting that for a dead rubber. Karachi's people showed the world that there can be cricket in Pakistan. I don't think teams should make any more excuses to not visit Pakistan, PSL final happened here, World XI came, SL came, etc. I am hopeful that teams will at least now not make excuses about security concerns. Hopefully in the near future, next year if not this one, there will be cricket in Pakistan God willing"

Those are his exact words, I think they are diplomatic enough. I am sure that most international cricketers will take them in the right spirit, i.e., he wants them to be welcome in Pakistan. What people on a web forum think his words might mean is probably not as important.

Key word is 'Excuses'....

Don't think any boards made any excuses, they all acted as per security protocol of respective Governments IMO

 

[IndianFan2018]

We are through bending over backwards to facilitate the other cricket boards. Its high time they stopped being snobbish. We have proved ourselves. Enough with the drama and the nakhre.

Bro... Understand the situation, it's PCB who needs other boards to reconsider decesion to tour Pak.

Other boards continue to get the revenue with existing tours in remaining countries, why will they take risk if respective Governments are not giving clearance. Situation might have changed now.. not sure until full PAK tours happen from other teams.

PCB has done it's bit, let PCB send out the invites to other boards as per FTP and wait for positive response

 

[barah_admi]

Pakistan is not unsafe in a world where cricket teams tour the likes of India, Lanka and Bangladesh, so of course they should tour Pakistan and not have excuses.

I think the PCB needs to get England over, that would be a massive coup and thus provoke other teams to come over too.

 

[rhony]

It's a combination of leverage, murky politics and history that's a deterrent at this point. Forget Aussies, English, NZ for a sec. They always had reservations even before SL attack. Pak should get BD to tour first. There is no way in heck BD is a safer place than Pak after the security measures. Once the BD tour is done, saffers can be roped in. India obviously depends on politics.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Key word is 'Excuses'....

Don't think any boards made any excuses, they all acted as per security protocol of respective Governments IMO

It's not a key word, it may not even be a direct quote seeing as Sarfraz usually gives interviews in Urdu not English. I think the interview needs to be taken as a whole rather than focus on one word, that is why I put the whole quote so you can get the real gist of what he is saying. Sarfraz is encouraging other teams to come visit Pakistan to play cricket with assurance that they will be looked after and safe. I don't see there should be a negative spin put on such a positive message.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's not a key word, it may not even be a direct quote seeing as Sarfraz usually gives interviews in Urdu not English. I think the interview needs to be taken as a whole rather than focus on one word, that is why I put the whole quote so you can get the real gist of what he is saying. Sarfraz is encouraging other teams to come visit Pakistan to play cricket with assurance that they will be looked after and safe. I don't see there should be a negative spin put on such a positive message.

I agree that the real meaning may be lost in translation.

Neither can i disagree that security was top notch.

But at the end of the day it will be a personal decision and that should be respected.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

It's a huge step for sure. A very positive and empowering message from Sarfaraz; gotta say he's been wonderful as captain for us.

Apart from that I'd agree, but we now need to get a mid-level team to bring their entire squad. No B-team. If somebody like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh did that, I think it would be a perfect next step. Then I think we should aim to bring England. Australia and New Zealand are the least likely to agree, and that was the case even before.

Btw who else thinks that if relations were better between the countries and India actually toured, it would open the floodgates completely?

 

[IndianFan2018]

It's not a key word, it may not even be a direct quote seeing as Sarfraz usually gives interviews in Urdu not English. I think the interview needs to be taken as a whole rather than focus on one word, that is why I put the whole quote so you can get the real gist of what he is saying. Sarfraz is encouraging other teams to come visit Pakistan to play cricket with assurance that they will be looked after and safe. I don't see there should be a negative spin put on such a positive message.

Fair enough....end of the day buck stops at respective boards

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I agree that the real meaning may be lost in translation.

Neither can i disagree that security was top notch.

But at the end of the day it will be a personal decision and that should be respected.

Yes, at the end of the day, the PCB can only make the conditions as welcoming and safe as possible, both of which were achieved in my view, after that though, the individual decision must always be down to the players as has been the case anywhere down the ages.

 

[IAJ]

There is nothing PCB can do if the big teams dont tour. Even the WI team wad a depleted one.

Everyone knows PCB can’t do much so you are only posting the obvious.

But I can see where you are coming from, you like majority of your countrymen would loved to see a complete isolated Pakistan. That gives you pleasure. You can deny that openly but you know I am telling truth.

 

[Perth93]

Its quite naive of Sarfraz to confuse fear with the perception of fear.
Because teams refusing to visit Pakistan is an issue of the region - Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran onwards.
The several wars both covert and overt gives everyone an unsettling picture.

To overcome this will take more than just cricket tours. It'll take reassuring gestures of a modern lawful civil country.

Pakistan should look at being more open for all tourists, and then it'll become easier to convince cricketers.

Organize tourism campaigns, cultural events like Lahore Literary Festival, concerts in Karachi , to give the right signals as a country ready to embrace the world, in ways wider than just cricket can provide.

Said as someone in PR and marketing, who's helped several brands find new following.

 

[ahsan17]

No matter how long it takes whether it is safe or not is decided by them, u lost ur right to demand when u let that attack happened

Do you know how FIFA treats similar cases? There was an attack on a team in Africa in the earlier part of this decade in which players were actually killed, and FIFA came down hard on anyone not willing to visit the country (I forget the name of the country). And here we have ICC, which have done very little even after the security situation has improved dramatically compared to 2009. The security situation in Pakistan now is similar to 2005-2006. That's when England, India, Australia A, West Indies, South Africa etc did a full tour of Pakistan.

 

[OoparCut]

I definitely want to see cricket return to Pakistan. But I don't think Sarfraz understands how tone-deaf this sounds to non-Pakistanis.

You are not going to convince people to take risks for your benefit, by being aggressive. Such talk may play well with the home audience, but will actually rub people the wrong way.

 

[ahsan17]

I definitely want to see cricket return to Pakistan. But I don't think Sarfraz understands how tone-deaf this sounds to non-Pakistanis.

You are not going to convince people to take risks for your benefit, by being aggressive. Such talk may play well with the home audience, but will actually rub people the wrong way.

Sarfraz is saying that the "risks" you mention are reasonably low now. That's factual and there's nothing wrong in saying that. As mentioned in my previous post, the security situation in Pakistan is similar to 2005-06, when England, India, West Indies, South Africa, Australia A did full tours. The security is far, far better than 2009 when the attack happened - roughly 80% less attacks now compared to 2009.

 

[OoparCut]

Sarfraz is saying that the "risks" you mention are reasonably low now. That's factual and there's nothing wrong in saying that. As mentioned in my previous post, the security situation in Pakistan is similar to 2005-06, when England, India, West Indies, South Africa, Australia A did full tours. The security is far, far better than 2009 when the attack happened - roughly 80% less attacks now compared to 2009.

Even assuming that this claim of safety is true - there is a right way and a wrong way to get your message across.

 

[Perth93]

I definitely want to see cricket return to Pakistan. But I don't think Sarfraz understands how tone-deaf this sounds to non-Pakistanis.

You are not going to convince people to take risks for your benefit, by being aggressive. Such talk may play well with the home audience, but will actually rub people the wrong way.

"Tone deaf" is such a nice way to put it.
Seriously, they need to hire some good PR and public speaking consultants for Saify.

Like Bill Bernbach, the world's first advertising guru said, "it's not what you say, it's how you say it."

 

[cricketjoshila]

Everyone knows PCB can’t do much so you are only posting the obvious.

But I can see where you are coming from, you like majority of your countrymen would loved to see a complete isolated Pakistan. That gives you pleasure. You can deny that openly but you know I am telling truth.

Read my post above. I have always welcomed return of cricket to Pakistan.

I have always said that the security arrangement is top notch.

But i do not believe PCB can threaten anyone to get them to tour. Neither should anyone be ashamed for not touring nor are they chickens.

 

[DRsohail]

If the entity is "indian", then we are a share of that entity. As indian, we have every right to say whether we want our team to visit or not. Same as you do in case of Pakistan team.

And this platform is opened to individual opinion as long as it doesn't cross a rule. Being negative about something isn't breaking of T&C. Hence, try to be more open minded for opposing view point.

It does not include india.
India is already not playing us for different reasond so you are not entitled to say that even.
and this is something related to officials not random posters like you.

 

[DRsohail]

calm down.. there are millions of us narrow minded ppl across the border who want to see cricket come back to Pakistan, including Indian team. But these 3 matches in 3 days is no way to convince high profile teams that the security issues are under control.

If the normal life in a major city is disrupted to such an extent for 3 day series, how about a 2 test series? or a 3 match ODI series? Is the normal public ready to sacrifice so much for a chance to say we held a cricket series on our home soil? I know it doesn't concern me but just trying to think from an average joe view point. Your emotions are a bit high right now, but take a little break and think about what it means for thousands of ppl in the city.

Cricket will come back to Pakistan, maybe not immediately, maybe not in the next couple of years. But it will, it has to...

That,s a nice way to explain things.

 

[DRsohail]

I am not TELLING THEM for heavens sake. I am just posting a hypothetical case on a forum. Is that hard to comprehend?

It would ahve been better if you post something hypothetically positive rather than negative.But after all its your choice and you will always say what your mind thinks.//if it thinks negatively then you have no choice.

 

[DRsohail]

Read my post above. I have always welcomed return of cricket to Pakistan.

I have always said that the security arrangement is top notch.

But i do not believe PCB can threaten anyone to get them to tour. Neither should anyone be ashamed for not touring nor are they chickens.

Yes joshila has always praised our security arrangements.But please let us cherish these small moments .

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Yes joshila has always praised our security arrangements.But please let us cherish these small moments .

aaj kal aap bhi savage hogaye ho

 

[Saj]

Despite all of the positive aspects recently for Pakistan cricket there will still be many out there who will refuse to go to Pakistan.

The PCB and Pakistani cricket need to move on from them and not waste too much energy on those individuals.

 

[DRsohail]

aaj kal aap bhi savage hogaye ho

hahahha na kar bhai.bahut bahs charii ha so i was in a savage mood today.
I was watchin all those rubbish against our cricket so had to jumped in.

 

[Abdullah719]

It's not a key word, it may not even be a direct quote seeing as Sarfraz usually gives interviews in Urdu not English. I think the interview needs to be taken as a whole rather than focus on one word, that is why I put the whole quote so you can get the real gist of what he is saying. Sarfraz is encouraging other teams to come visit Pakistan to play cricket with assurance that they will be looked after and safe. I don't see there should be a negative spin put on such a positive message.

Yeah it was Urdu. Excuse as in 'bahaana'.