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[PICTURES] "We want to see international cricket in the country (Pakistan)" : Giles Clarke

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[PICTURES] "We want to see international cricket in the country (Pakistan)" : Giles Clarke

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LAHORE: President of International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Task Force Giles Clarke arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit of the country, ARY News reported.

Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shahryar Khan and other high level officials welcomed Clarke upon his arrival in Lahore.

Strict security measures were taken at Lahore Airport upon Clarke’s arrival.

After his meeting with CM Punjab, the ICC official will meet PCB officials and will also talk to the media.

He is expected to meet government officials and discuss return of the international cricket in Pakistan with them.

The task force chief will also review the security arrangements made by PCB for the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL).
 
Good for the future of Pakistan. Hope Giles Clarke can see that PCB is able and capable of providing state of the art facilities and presidential level security to any team visiting Pakistan. Shahryar Khan has worked hard to bring cricket back to Pakistan and his past in Foreign service is good experience and he know's how to deal with people such as Giles Clarke.
 
This is definitely a positive move but I think it would be more convincing to invite him for the PSL final. Nothing like showing them your security measures in a marquee match like that.
 
More money being wasted by the PCB.

Clarke cannot force teams to tour Pakistan.
 
Pakistan isn't safe and that's the bitter truth , no team will want to play cricket in Pakistan thinking that anything can happen any minute. Shahbaz shareef is the same cm who failed to provide adequate security to srilankan team despite the intelligence agencies heads up. If I were a security advisor or any foreign team , I would strongly recommend them against touring Pakistan.
 
You have to keep channels of communication open at all times.
 
Pakistan isn't safe and that's the bitter truth , no team will want to play cricket in Pakistan thinking that anything can happen any minute. Shahbaz shareef is the same cm who failed to provide adequate security to srilankan team despite the intelligence agencies heads up. If I were a security advisor or any foreign team , I would strongly recommend them against touring Pakistan.

wrong. Shahbaz was dismissed. He provided perfectly fine security until he was dismissed. And I'm no noora fan. As for anything happening any minute, well that is teh case everywhere! Pakistan is as safe as it was in 2005/6 and we had tours then. We cannot continue like this. If the lankans could organise cricket during the civil war, if we could continue with cricket during the early zia years and bhutto years when teams were in danger from the crowds (yes look it up) then we can now..
 
More money being wasted by the PCB.

Clarke cannot force teams to tour Pakistan.

so what do you suggest? we have to do something and if that means wining and dining this so and so individual then so be it. The future of pakistan cricket is on the line here!
 
so what do you suggest? we have to do something and if that means wining and dining this so and so individual then so be it. The future of pakistan cricket is on the line here!

Clarke and the PCB are just on the gravy train, they will host expensive meals and stay in luxury hotels talk a lot but they cannot do anything other than talk. Security for the players is about the general situation in Pakistan not how many security guards will be surrounding the players. Governments need to give approval for teams to tour and even though they talk to the ICC the ICC dont have much influence on how government agencies determine the risks,
 
We miss you: Giles Clarke tells Pakistan

Head of International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Pakistan Task Force Giles Clarke on Saturday said on behalf of the international cricket community that they miss Pakistan.

Giles, who is on a two-day tour to Pakistan, is visiting the country to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in boosting their finances in the absence of international matches.

He ended his address by saying: “I apologise that we are not having this press conference in either Punjabi or Urdu. But I did want to leave with one message, not from me, but if I was personifying international cricket community, mujhe apki bohat kami mehsoos hui (We really missed you),” said Clarke.

Also, in his address to the media in Lahore, he passed a tongue-in-cheek comment to all the young reporters sitting in front of him.

It’s been a pleasure to come again to Lahore. I first came to Lahore in 1973, which, taking a look at the front row here, is before some of you were born,” he said.

Clarke also clarified the reason for his visit by saying that all full members of the ICC understand Pakistan’s frustration and want to do something about it.

I am on a fact-finding mission. I’ve been asked to come here by the ICC board and by the ICC chairman. I am accompanied by ICC’s security advisors. ICC cares deeply about it full members; they are the life blood of the organisation. We, the other full members of the ICC, recognise the deep frustration which is undoubtedly felt by the Pakistani cricket fans since they have been unable, due to security problems, to host other international teams for a long period of time,” he explained.

He continued by saying that ICC wants Pakistani public to once again see their heroes in action. “Those are grave concerns to us all and to all the cricket lovers worldwide. So we regard it as very important that we do what we can as effectively as we can to help create a situation where international cricket can come back to Pakistan. And the Pakistani public can have the opportunity of seeing their heroes in action.”

The 63-year-old said his team were briefed about the current safety and security measures taken by authorities in Lahore for international teams’ visit.

We’ve seen a series of presentations on security. We’ve been able to see very significant work that has been invested in, and invested very wisely in how safety and security will be made possible for visiting international cricket teams and also for the ordinary Pakistani public – who I am sure have no desire to find themselves in a ghastly terrorist incident,” he said.

However, he warned that one bad incident can push Pakistan back to square one. “As we move forward to seeing what can be done, one has to note a little caution in that we all know that one terrible incident can push things backwards again. So, we are hoping to move forward constructively.”

He thanked PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan and PSL Chairman Najam Sethi for their work on trying to bring cricket back to Pakistan. “I am very grateful to my friends Shaharyar and Sethi for all the hard work they’ve put in. I’ve been very impressed with all the work that has been done to make Lahore a safe city for its citizens, for visitors and for international cricket teams.”

Clarke concluded by saying that Pakistan needs to change a lot of perception before international cricket can fully return to the country.

This is not an easy road; we should not assume that it is going to be simple. There is a considerable amount of perception that needs to be changed and there is considerable amount of information that needs to be shared but I am most grateful to authorities in Pakistan for their efforts,” he said.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1309797/miss-giles-clarke-tells-pakistan/
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That awkward moment when you realise that the return of international cricket to Pakistan could be in the hands of Giles Clarke <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/QD7valIkFm">pic.twitter.com/QD7valIkFm</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/825280995230367744">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
seems like a good ol' lets visit the provinces type thing from Viceroy Clarke.
 
wrong. Shahbaz was dismissed. He provided perfectly fine security until he was dismissed. And I'm no noora fan. As for anything happening any minute, well that is teh case everywhere! Pakistan is as safe as it was in 2005/6 and we had tours then. We cannot continue like this. If the lankans could organise cricket during the civil war, if we could continue with cricket during the early zia years and bhutto years when teams were in danger from the crowds (yes look it up) then we can now..

Pakistan has lost its safe image and even one big terrorist activity in a major city magnifies it even further. Didn't we have terrorist activity in gulshan Iqbal park last year , its not 80s anymore and it will take 5 more years of no bb blast in major cities to regain our safe image.

No team should tour pakistan , we can't keep them safe.
 
Pakistan has lost its safe image and even one big terrorist activity in a major city magnifies it even further. Didn't we have terrorist activity in gulshan Iqbal park last year , its not 80s anymore and it will take 5 more years of no bb blast in major cities to regain our safe image.

No team should tour pakistan , we can't keep them safe.

Spare me the self loathing. Nothing gets done with this attitude. You sound like a depressed teenager.

Pakistan needs to work with Sri Lanka to organise a tour. Start from there.
 
That 2nd picture has enough clue of why teams shouldn't visit PAK yet. If I were a tourist, I would have thought - if a PAK elite Rangers does the photographer's job, than it might happen that the security part is taken care of the photographers ............
 
http://aaj.tv/2017/01/president-of-englandwales-cricket-board-calls-on-cm/

LAHORE: President of England and Wales Cricket Board Giles Clarke on Saturday called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here.

During the meeting, discussion was held to take steps for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.

On the occasion, Giles Clarke said the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had taken the best steps for the protection of life and property of people.

He said effective efforts would be continued to revive international cricket in Pakistan and it was hoped that international cricket would be revived in Pakistan soon.

Giles Clarke said it was expected that positive development would be done to revive international cricket in the coming days.

He said: “We have seen wonderful steps taken with regard to law and order in Lahore and we are happy that Punjab government has done a wonderful job in this regard. I am personally impressed with security arrangements”.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while talking on the occasion, said the Punjab government had taken effective steps to provide peaceful atmosphere to people of the province.

The Safe City Project was a milestone initiative to improve the law and order situation by using latest technology, he said and added cricket was the most popular game of people and:” We will provide all sorts of security to the foreign players for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan”.

He said Pakistani nation was fully committed to defeat the menace of terrorism, adding that peace has been restored in Pakistan due to great sacrifices of thousands of precious lives.

The chief minister said the Safe City Project of Lahore was a mega project of South Asia. Due to the steps taken by the government, law and order situation had been improved.

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Shehryar Khan, Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi, IG Police, Secretary Home, CCPO Lahore, Commissioner Lahore Division and concerned officials were also present.—APP
 
That 2nd picture has enough clue of why teams shouldn't visit PAK yet. If I were a tourist, I would have thought - if a PAK elite Rangers does the photographer's job, than it might happen that the security part is taken care of the photographers ............

did you see a gun in his hand?? ,he maybe airport security guard whose job maybe not to hold guns
 
Here's the problem

If they show no security then people say "Where's the security"

If you put army guys in pics then "Pakistan looks like an unsafe place because you need an army to guard everyone"

No win.
 
did you see a gun in his hand?? ,he maybe airport security guard whose job maybe not to hold guns

His job is not to take picture for sure - there is a word called professionalism. People dies in Pentagon from terrorist attacks, hence no place is safe in earth; but there is a standard operating procedure of every system. If he was an airport security, then it's even bigger mess - you shouldn't allow a random guy to reach such guests at stabbing distance.

Instead of arguing for the sake of it, think about teams whose security experts will analyze situation after an International cricket team was made sitting duck in the heart of PAK's most secured City - then they'll watch this picture .........
 
That 2nd picture has enough clue of why teams shouldn't visit PAK yet. If I were a tourist, I would have thought - if a PAK elite Rangers does the photographer's job, than it might happen that the security part is taken care of the photographers ............

Lol I noticed that as well.

The guy looked so distinct in that picture.
 
His job is not to take picture for sure - there is a word called professionalism. People dies in Pentagon from terrorist attacks, hence no place is safe in earth; but there is a standard operating procedure of every system. If he was an airport security, then it's even bigger mess - you shouldn't allow a random guy to reach such guests at stabbing distance.

Instead of arguing for the sake of it, think about teams whose security experts will analyze situation after an International cricket team was made sitting duck in the heart of PAK's most secured City - then they'll watch this picture .........

Now come on - he was taking his own pic - that is his phone. The professional pics etc are taken from another angle.
 
Spare me the self loathing. Nothing gets done with this attitude. You sound like a depressed teenager.

Pakistan needs to work with Sri Lanka to organise a tour. Start from there.

Its accepting that we are not safe at the moment , its the fact not self loathing. No need to invite anyone because they could be victims of another terrorist activity.
 
Now come on - he was taking his own pic - that is his phone. The professional pics etc are taken from another angle.

I don't care - I don't want any excuse that can be used as a security threat. It's not that teams are queuing to come PAK & SK is showing Clarke the facilities & arrangements.

That guy is in official dress (That's PAK Ranger's cap), either for the delegates or in general airport security - one can't do such negligence. I can tell you that, if it was when Nawaz is travelling, this guy would have lost his job & rightly so.

This gives wrong massage - ask any security expert, it's a serious breech of standard operating process. For the sake of saying - that could be a high-tech device that can shoot laser beems or even mercury bullets .......
 
Actually the security guard being in the picture is a good thing.

People know there have been issues in Pakistan. They're not going to see a security guard and suddenly get shocked because if any team wants to tour Pakistan they will want actual security.

And when reassuring people that they will be protected its important to actually make a visual show.
 
Actually the security guard being in the picture is a good thing.

People know there have been issues in Pakistan. They're not going to see a security guard and suddenly get shocked because if any team wants to tour Pakistan they will want actual security.

And when reassuring people that they will be protected its important to actually make a visual show.

Not sure a security guard looking at you through their phone screen whilst taking pictures/videos is 'actual security' however?
 
so what do you suggest? we have to do something and if that means wining and dining this so and so individual then so be it. The future of pakistan cricket is on the line here!

Will make no difference.

Giles Clarke cannot make any Board send its players to Pakistan.

The sad fact is that Pakistan is not safe to host international cricket.
 
The problem for the PCB is that they're taking a major financial hit as staging internationals in the UAE is expensive. Couple that with the loss in revenues from the lack of series with India means PCB have serious financial pressures.

Pakistan has come a long way from 2009, its counter-terrorism methods have improved but the outside perception remains poor. Pakistan should aim at staging smaller series with the likes of Afghanistan to rebuild confidence that it can host international cricket again.
 
Pakistan has lost its safe image and even one big terrorist activity in a major city magnifies it even further. Didn't we have terrorist activity in gulshan Iqbal park last year , its not 80s anymore and it will take 5 more years of no bb blast in major cities to regain our safe image.

No team should tour pakistan , we can't keep them safe.

As mentioned before, this expectation of no blasts for 5 years is a silly requirement because other countries hosting countries have a blast or two every year or so. Pakistan today is as safe as it was in 2016, when 600 civilians were killed in terrorist attacks. Playing cricket in a country that has 1-2 major blasts in a year isn't exactly unreasonable. Pakistan won't be getting away from having 1-2 major blasts a year any time soon, and there should be no silly requirement for it to be 0 for several years.
 
The problem for the PCB is that they're taking a major financial hit as staging internationals in the UAE is expensive. Couple that with the loss in revenues from the lack of series with India means PCB have serious financial pressures.

Pakistan has come a long way from 2009, its counter-terrorism methods have improved but the outside perception remains poor. Pakistan should aim at staging smaller series with the likes of Afghanistan to rebuild confidence that it can host international cricket again.

The problem is with perception, as you mentioned. Casualties due to terrorist attacks are down 75% since 2009. That should make anyone reasonable reconsider playing in Pakistan again. But because of the terrorist attacks we had for 4-5 years between 2009 and 2013, people are still in that old frame of mind and haven't checked their perceptions with more recent data.
 
That 2nd picture has enough clue of why teams shouldn't visit PAK yet. If I were a tourist, I would have thought - if a PAK elite Rangers does the photographer's job, than it might happen that the security part is taken care of the photographers ............

You are over-analyzing a small detail. No one is going to look at a minor detail in one picture and make (or change) their decisions based on that.
 
You are over-analyzing a small detail. No one is going to look at a minor detail in one picture and make (or change) their decisions based on that.

He has a point and he is trying to think how others will be thinking.
 
You are over-analyzing a small detail. No one is going to look at a minor detail in one picture and make (or change) their decisions based on that.

What they'll analyze - how many bombs blew in 2007 & 2016?

That picture & your post is a prefect example of what went wrong last time. Or do you think PAK's presidential security allows security people serve their snapchat on duty?
 
What they'll analyze - how many bombs blew in 2007 & 2016?

That picture & your post is a prefect example of what went wrong last time. Or do you think PAK's presidential security allows security people serve their snapchat on duty?

This really is a non issue. I know you have extreme attention to detail but chill out on this one :91:

If PCB can achieve PSL final with foreign players present then that will be a huge stride forward. A ODI series with SL can be organised within 6 months.
 
Will make no difference.

Giles Clarke cannot make any Board send its players to Pakistan.

The sad fact is that Pakistan is not safe to host international cricket.

I disagree. It's safer than 2008 and 2009. It's safer than at any time since 2009. If we don't start now when? We must begin or Pakistan cricket is dead...
 
The problem is with perception, as you mentioned. Casualties due to terrorist attacks are down 75% since 2009. That should make anyone reasonable reconsider playing in Pakistan again. But because of the terrorist attacks we had for 4-5 years between 2009 and 2013, people are still in that old frame of mind and haven't checked their perceptions with more recent data.

Honestly the damage the Ijaz Butt regime did is immeasurable. I'm not saying without the attack on the SL team bus that international cricket would've carried on anyway in Pakistan as the security situation was really out of hand during that period.

But we would have a BETTER chance of resuming cricket in Pakistan by now had that attack not taken place.

That buffoon should've been put on trial for criminal negligence, Lankan team were sitting ducks ! But Pakistan is not a nation where justice and accountability prevails.
 
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has done a significant amount of work on security, a visiting International Cricket Council official said on Saturday.

But Giles Clarke, who heads the ICC's Pakistan Task Team, didn't say whether he would recommend major teams tour Pakistan for the first time since the deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore.

"There's a considerable amount of perception that needs to be changed, and there's a considerable amount of information that needs to be shared," he said.

Making a two-day trip, Clarke met with Pakistan government officials in Lahore, including a 35-minute meeting with chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and other police officials from the province of Punjab.

"We've had a most interesting series of presentations," Clarke said. "We've been able to see very significant work ... how security and safety is going to be possible for visiting international cricket teams.

"I am here because the (Pakistan Cricket Board) felt strongly progress has been made."

The Federation of International Cricket Association warned foreign players this month that it was not safe to travel to Pakistan, notably for the final of the domestic Twenty20 league in March in Lahore.

Clarke said he had not talked with FICA.

"I haven't read that statement in full; I was far more interested in coming here for myself before I open that conversation, which will take place," Clarke said.

Despite FICA's security warning to international players, the PCB was adamant the final will go ahead in Lahore. The rest of the tournament, starting on Feb. 7, will be played in the United Arab Emirates, which Pakistan uses as its home for international cricket.

Clarke backed the PCB plans.

"I am not a security expert, but I do on a personal basis strongly support the PCB's efforts to have their own domestic competition played in Pakistan with a dramatic and exciting final at the Gaddafi Stadium," Clarke said. "I completely understand that desire and I would support their efforts to do that, but as I said, I am not a security expert."

Of the test-playing teams, only Zimbabwe has toured Pakistan, in 2015 for three one-day internationals. They passed without incident.

Clarke said its an ICC objective that all of its full members should host bilateral series in their own countries.

"For us to do that we want everyone to be safe and secure," Clarke said. "It's not just the players ... we also want plenty of supporters to come here.

"You haven't had the pleasure of the Barmy Army for a number of years," he added with a smile, referring to England's supporters.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap...-significant-work-security.html#ixzz4X5IzRTU5
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
 
What they'll analyze - how many bombs blew in 2007 & 2016?

That picture & your post is a prefect example of what went wrong last time. Or do you think PAK's presidential security allows security people serve their snapchat on duty?

Apples to oranges comparison with respect to the 2009 attack. There likely is no compromise in security with someone taking a personal picture. It's not professional, agreed, but it's hardly going to change anyone's mind.
 
This really is a non issue. I know you have extreme attention to detail but chill out on this one :91:

If PCB can achieve PSL final with foreign players present then that will be a huge stride forward. A ODI series with SL can be organised within 6 months.

Good luck - PCB is trying to achieve that 1st target (bringing foreign players to PSL Final), with this namuna .....
 
Inshallah cricket comes back to Pak, we'll become a top 3 side again if we do host games.
 
Clarke's comments in Pakistan have been very careful. He has not at any time said Pakistan is safe for international cricket or said that teams will go there.
 
His job is not to take picture for sure - there is a word called professionalism. People dies in Pentagon from terrorist attacks, hence no place is safe in earth; but there is a standard operating procedure of every system. If he was an airport security, then it's even bigger mess - you shouldn't allow a random guy to reach such guests at stabbing distance.

Instead of arguing for the sake of it, think about teams whose security experts will analyze situation after an International cricket team was made sitting duck in the heart of PAK's most secured City - then they'll watch this picture .........


You have a point but when team will tour security will be not like this they will give presidental level security
 
Clarke's comments in Pakistan have been very careful. He has not at any time said Pakistan is safe for international cricket or said that teams will go there.

He can't do it based on his visit alone. It has to be done by "security experts".
 
His job is not to take picture for sure - there is a word called professionalism. People dies in Pentagon from terrorist attacks, hence no place is safe in earth; but there is a standard operating procedure of every system. If he was an airport security, then it's even bigger mess - you shouldn't allow a random guy to reach such guests at stabbing distance.

Instead of arguing for the sake of it, think about teams whose security experts will analyze situation after an International cricket team was made sitting duck in the heart of PAK's most secured City - then they'll watch this picture .........

You might not know this but ASF has a photography department as well. They have photographers too, like every departments. Theirs just happen to be in uniform.
 
Will make no difference.

Giles Clarke cannot make any Board send its players to Pakistan.

The sad fact is that Pakistan is not safe to host international cricket.

True. But one of the purpose of his visit is to arrange a tour of a World 11. If that happens, then it would be a good start too. No? Or you think we should not think about hosting any matches because we are not safest place in the world?
 
You might not know this but ASF has a photography department as well. They have photographers too, like every departments. Theirs just happen to be in uniform.

I see - they must be very professional & cost effective operation then - saving cost for DSLR camera with mobile .......
 
True. But one of the purpose of his visit is to arrange a tour of a World 11. If that happens, then it would be a good start too. No? Or you think we should not think about hosting any matches because we are not safest place in the world?

World XI was supposed to happen last year....
 
Pakistan is definitely safer now than before.

Example between 2006 - 2010 most of my relatives would think 2 or 3 times before contemplating a visit there because terrorist attacks were frequent.

However Now they all go without the word terrorism even being mentioned. And that is backed by facts on the ground and statistically that terrorism has substantially been lowered.

But I will say even 1 big terrorist attack rewinds the clock back, like the horrific attack at the park last year in Lahore.

I don't blame foreign players still having apprehensions and I think it will need a whole year without any major incident. But after that the PCB should expect cricket to Come back.

Cricket has to come back sooner or later otherwise it will be a slow death, especially to inspire lower class.
 
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That 2nd picture has enough clue of why teams shouldn't visit PAK yet. If I were a tourist, I would have thought - if a PAK elite Rangers does the photographer's job, than it might happen that the security part is taken care of the photographers ............

Just for your info, he is just an Airport Security Force personal. Not an Elite Rangers
 
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1310033/eyes-wide-open-lahore-put-terror-alert/

Lahore put on terror alert

Punjab Home Department’s Provincial Intelligence Centre has issued an alert of a possible terrorist attack in the province, especially Lahore. A letter, issued on January 25, states that Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat was training young boys aged between 10 and 12 years as suicide bombers in Kunar, Afghanistan. They would be used to launch attacks on various cities of Pakistan, it warned. One such child, destined for Lahore, revealed that a school near Abdali Chowk was his target.

It requested increased security for judicial buildings/residences all over Pakistan to avoid any untoward incident. The authority asked for additional security measures as deemed appropriate. It added a District Intelligence Committee’s meeting must be convened immediately, the threat level be examined and necessary measures taken to avoid any incident. The centre urged extreme vigilance and foolproof security measures, regular combing/search operations and extensive vigilance in the target area, snap checking at pickets and close monitoring of people associated with certain outfits.
 
http://asianetindia.com/icc-special-task-force-hopeful-of-pakistan-hosting-international-matches/

ICC Special Task Force hopeful of Pakistan hosting international matches


The head of the International Cricket Council’s special task force on Pakistan cricket, Giles Clarke is hopeful that international cricket will return soon to the country.

On a visit to Lahore, Clarke said that he could understand the feelings of the Pakistani people who are passionate about cricket but have not been able to see overseas teams play in the country since 2009.

“I feel sad and can understand how the Pakistani people feel. But I am also hopeful that with the security situation in Pakistan improving, the day is not far off when the Pakistani people will be able to see their team play against overseas sides at home,” Clarke told a news conference that he addressed along with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan.

The former head of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), who also met with the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other government officials, said that his meeting had been very productive.

“Pakistan is an important member of the ICC and we want to see international cricket in the country. We are doing whatever we can towards this direction,” said Clarke.

Stating that Pakistan cricket had been through a tough time because of the security concerns, Clarke appreciated PCB’s efforts to convince the cricket world it was safe to play in the country.

Giles, who was given a demonstration of the security arrangements that the board has planned with the Punjab government for overseas players and teams, also visited the National Cricket Academy.
No international team has visited Pakistan since 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, an incident in which six Pakistani policemen were killed and a umpire and a player got wounded.

The PCB chief said the board was working on its plan to have the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore in March as well try to convince the West Indies team to play a few T20 matches as well.

He said the PCB officials had been in touch with the Federation of International cricket players association and would try to meet them in person to give them a realistic briefing on the security situation in Pakistan.
 
KARACHI: The smooth and successful organisation of the one-day and Twenty20 internationals’ series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Karachi and Lahore recently has drawn positive, encouraging vibes from the cricketing world regarding the security situation in Pakistan.

Besides receiving appreciation from the cricket playing nations, the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) — an important forum — has also termed the incident-free staging of the Pak-SL series a positive development for Pakistan cricket.

Talking to this correspondent, executive chairman of FICA, Tony Irish said the future course will be decided by relevant quarters after due process.

“It is positive that the SL series was held smoothly and without any security problems. The FICA is generally supportive of cricket returning to Pakistan,” Irish said.

To a question, regarding future bilateral engagements in Pakistan, Irish was of the opinion that each tour needs to be re-assessed from the security point of view. “The re-assessment (of security arrangements) is to ensure that the risk remains manageable and that appropriate security plans are in place to deal with the risks. There is nothing more important than the safety of teams and players,” concluded Irish, who is set to take over as head of the English Players Association in January.

Meanwhile, Giles Clarke, one of the architects of the 2017 World XI tour to Pakistan and former president England and Wales Cricket Board, also hoped that Sri Lanka’s successful tour to Pakistan would lead to more international teams playing in Pakistan.

Talking to this correspondent, Clarke said that since he was no more involved in the ECB affairs therefore he could not comment on the possibility of England team touring Pakistan in the near future. He, however, expressed confidence in PCB’s efforts in this regard.

“Like all cricket lovers, I hope that in due course of time, all teams will be able to tour (Pakistan). I am sure the PCB is doing everything in its power to restore their confidence,” said Clarke.

It is pertinent to mention here that Clarke was the chairman of the Pakistan Task team, constituted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2009 for the gradual return of international cricket to Pakistan.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1510316/f...nka-tour-a-positive-step-for-pakistan-cricket
 
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