"We go home with memories that I hope the boys will cherish for the rest of their lives" : A Flower

[Abdullah719]

"We go home with memories that I hope the boys will cherish for the rest of their lives" : A Flower

LEEDS: World XI coach Andy Flower is looking forward to being involved in a series that enables Pakistan fans to “see their heroes” after years of being “starved” of international cricket, he told AFP on Friday.

The former Zimbabwe batsman and ex-England coach was named Thursday as the man who will oversee a World XI that will play three Twenty20 internationals in Lahore next month in a bid to revive international cricket in Pakistan, where the sport has a fanatical following.

Now the hope is that the World XI fixtures will act as the forerunner to the resumption of full international cricket in Pakistan.

“This is important both for Pakistan cricket and for Pakistan as a country as a whole,” Flower told AFP in a telephone interview.

“Pakistan is a major cricket nation and it’s very important for cricket there that the fans can see their heroes at home.

“It’s something they’ve been starved off in recent years.”

Flower, now the England and Wales Cricket Board’s director of coaching, added he was looking forward to overseeing a World XI squad imbued with a “special spirit”.

“Of course they are professionals who will be getting paid.

“But beyond the narrow confines of playing, I sense they are keen to do something for Pakistan cricket.

“I think there will be a special spirit in the team,” explained Flower, adding he had complete “trust” in safety arrangements overseen in part by ECB security expert Reg Dickason.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will lead a side that also includes Australia’s George Bailey and South Africa’s Hashim Amla as well as former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood.

Flower was the coach and Collingwood the captain when England won their lone global limited-overs title — the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. – AFP

https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2017/08/flower-wants-pakistan-fans-to-see-their-heroes/

 

[Executioner]

These cricketers are fan of the game. They feel sorry for Pakistan fans.

 

[sadida97]

These cricketers are fan of the game. They feel sorry for Pakistan fans.

Do you think Bangladesh will tour pakistan if the world XI, Sri lanka and West indies tours go well ?

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Do you think Bangladesh will tour pakistan if the world XI, Sri lanka and West indies tours go well ?

BCB have issues with not inviting them to uae. So have some doubts. If PCB had invited them only once in uae in the past, then BCB would be one of the first to visit Pakistan I think. There is also bd's high court rule over visiting Pakistan as a team. So if BCB had interest,still they will have to convince bd's high court to visit Pakistan as a team. Hope you understand.

 

[Executioner]

Do you think Bangladesh will tour pakistan if the world XI, Sri lanka and West indies tours go well ?

Bangladesh would have toured regardless if PCB were convincing enough. Convincing here means providing foolproof security and being Democratic. A good reason why BCB didn't engage directly is because PCB was putting pressure on BCB. If BCB were to decline then PCB threatened to cut all ties etc.

If PCB were more democratic then I am sure BD would have probably toured anyways. The damage has already been done by PCB bailing on BCB and also demanding compensation when other boards didn't receive such harsh treatment.

If those tours go ahead then it would make BCB more inclined to send the BD team but ofcourse considering the security is still top notch. But first PCB needs to mend relationship with BCB.

As a Bangladeshi fan I am in favor of sending BD team to Pakistan. Most Bangladeshi players are in favour of touring. But it will be difficult to convince the team management which is a multicultural group.

I wish ofcourse relationship between boards improve and BCB sends the national team.

But more importantly. I am eager to wait for the day when tours to Pakistan will be conducted with VIP security only because that is affordable and sustainable.

 

[vagabond007ti]

Depends on how much money is being paid to them. If it is same as any international game they play for their country, they are doing for love. If more money is being paid to them directly or indirectly, they are coming for money.

 

[RehanG]

100000 usd is a lot for anyone for just few days of work to feel sorry for anyone..

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Thank Grant for convincing his brother. Both of them I have immense gratitude towards.

Its easy to dislike us and hide us away which after the big 3 led by BCCI tried to do but thank heavens ICC especially Dave Richardson has realised this is not the way to give back to a country which has over 60 years of cricket history and helped many associate nations over the years.

Winning CT made this all a foregone conclusion and will probably go down as the most important tournament win in our history.

No way can they ignore us anymore. We have a massive untapped market ready to make millions out of. In 2003 our annual revenue from our home tours was $54 million. In todays economics that is $100 million. With good marketing can push towards $140 million. Add PSL revenue on top. When cricket comes back home Pakistan cricket is about to become very wealthy. Say goodbye to UAE, playing in empty stadiums and losing money. Hard times are coming to an end.

 

[DRsohail]

BCB have issues with not inviting them to uae. So have some doubts. If PCB had invited them only once in uae in the past, then BCB would be one of the first to visit Pakistan I think. There is also bd's high court rule over visiting Pakistan as a team. So if BCB had interest,still they will have to convince bd's high court to visit Pakistan as a team. Hope you understand.

what is UAE tour to do with this?/

 

[CanadianG00se]

Thank Grant for convincing his brother. Both of them I have immense gratitude towards.

Its easy to dislike us and hide us away which after the big 3 led by BCCI tried to do but thank heavens ICC especially Dave Richardson has realised this is not the way to give back to a country which has over 60 years of cricket history and helped many associate nations over the years.

Winning CT made this all a foregone conclusion and will probably go down as the most important tournament win in our history.

No way can they ignore us anymore. We have a massive untapped market ready to make millions out of. In 2003 our annual revenue from our home tours was $54 million. In todays economics that is $100 million. With good marketing can push towards $140 million. Add PSL revenue on top. When cricket comes back home Pakistan cricket is about to become very wealthy. Say goodbye to UAE, playing in empty stadiums and losing money. Hard times are coming to an end.

PCB's current broadcasting deal with Ten sports and PTV is sold for $150M. However, 60% of the deal is subject to 'Home series with India on neutral venue'. You're right about Pakistan market being untapped. It has potential to be top 3 wealthy board in cricket world. I have a feeling, Sethi would lead PCB and improve its finances, kinda like Dalmiya did for BCCI couple decades ago. PCB should negotiate deal(s) without a clause of Indian games and try to maximise the earnings.

On topic, Some players maybe motivated with huge payout for one week ($100K). South African players make that much every year, so not surprised to see many Saffas. Overall, it is impressive from PCB who were able to (with the help of ICC) bring some star players for World XI. Imo the real challenge would be inviting top nations to tour pakistan without any monetary incentives. Wishing PCB goodluck and may the series goes without any hiccups.

 

[Abdullah719]

Andy Flower: World XI players know risks but feel comfortable with important mission of taking international cricket back to Pakistan

Andy Flower has said the World XI players know the “risks involved” in playing in Pakistan next month but are satisfied with the security operation designed to protect them in Lahore.

Flower has selected and will coach the World XI in three Twenty20 matches in Lahore across four days from Sept 12. The team will be captained by Faf du Plessis and there will be players from all major Test nations in the squad, including England’s Paul Collingwood.

They will have a training camp in Dubai before flying to Lahore for the first major series in Pakistan since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009.

Players are being paid $100,000 (£ 78,000) per man for the trip which has been heavily backed by the International Cricket Council. The former England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, Giles Clarke, has led the initiative.

Two security companies have been employed to protect the players. The firm owned by former Melbourne police officer Reg Dickason, who has been England’s security manager for more than 10 years, will work with the ICC’s own security company to provide the level of protection the England team had in Bangladesh last year. It was Dickason’s security report that paved the way for the Bangladesh tour to go ahead.

Flower has strong links with Pakistan. His brother Grant is the Pakistan batting coach and Flower has also worked in the Pakistan Super League Twenty20. He will be taking a break from his job as director of England’s talent identification programme to lead the World XI side.

“The security plan is robust and has been very carefully audited. Both those companies have taken their experience over the last decade but they have also taken their experience of the PSL final held in Lahore this year to ensure the security plan is as watertight as possible. I think everyone understands the risks but are comfortable and trusting of the people that are running the security plan,” Flower told The Telegraph. “The security will be tight, and quite rightly so. But we will feel safe in the hands of those two companies. And the players are comfortable with their selection and the plans in place.”

Du Plessis is one of five South Africans in the squad, which includes three Australians, Grant Elliott of New Zealand, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and Collingwood. All-rounder Thisara Perera is the only Sri Lankan.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that terrorist attacks are still “very likely” and there have been several bomb blasts in Lahore this year. The most recent was less than three weeks ago and 22 people were injured. In July, a Taliban suicide bomber killed 26 people in Lahore.

Cricket has slowly returned to Pakistan. The final of the Pakistan Super League was held in Lahore this year and featured overseas players including Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan. Zimbabwe played three Twenty20s in Pakistan in May 2015 and decided to stay on even though an apparent suicide bomber left two dead outside the stadium before the second game.

“It’s incredibly important to take international cricket back for the future of Pakistan cricket, for the Pakistani cricket-loving public and for the country itself,” said Flower. “Cricket is its national sport. I have personally experienced the passion with which it is played and supported. This is just the start of a safe and steady and perhaps slow resumption of cricket to Pakistan. The ICC recognises that each member nation should be hosting international cricket but there have been good reasons why that has not been the case recently in Pakistan. But if this can be part of that resumption in a safe and steady way, then it is an excellent project to be part of.”

In his role as head of the ICC’s Pakistan Task Force, Clarke has spent years working on helping cricket return to the country. He approached Flower last year to see if he would be interested in coaching a World XI.

“I thought it would be a fascinating project,” said Flower. “In my early communications with players, when flagging the idea to them, I had a really positive response. Initially, New Zealand didn’t release their players but they consequently have. I had a very positive response from the players.

“They are all professional cricketers and earn money through playing cricket, but I think the players are very excited at being part of something bigger than just money and winning games. I think the spirit of the welcome from the Pakistan people will probably take them by surprise.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/...now-risks-feel-comfortable-important-mission/

 

[Abdullah719]

‘World XI players will cherish ‘memorable’ Pakistan tour for life’

World XI squad’s coach Andy Flower hailed the side’s trip to Lahore and termed the tour as ‘memorable’ and one that the ‘cricketers will cherish for the rest of their lives.’

Speaking to media after the third Twenty20 International (T20I) between Pakistan and World XI, Flower — who formerly coached England and captained Zimbabwe — commented on how the series, despite being a baby step, was the one in the right direction.

“One thing I think we all should remember is that these are baby steps and I am sure that the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) will take one safe and steady step at a time,” the star sportsman said in his opening statement during the post-series press conference.

“I think this is a step in the right direction, a step forward. It has been very successful and very well-received here in Pakistan,” Flower added. The World XI coach praised the security arrangements in Lahore, saying that the security plan made the players feel secure over the course of their trip to the country.

“Now that the first step has been taken, there will be more steps on way,” he said. Flower, 49, also praised the energetic and passion-fuelled crowd of Lahore, which, according to him, made all the players feel at ease.

“The way Pakistani people and the crowd — particularly at this ground — cheered for us at the end of the second game, which we won beating the home team, made us feel right at home,” Flower explained.

“This tour is another reminder of the fact that cricket transcends boundaries,” he added. Flower promised that he will tell stories from the tour to the international community and share his experiences of being a guest to such a welcoming crowd of hosts.

“I will tell stories of my week in Lahore after I leave Pakistan, but it is up to the international community to take it all forward,” he concluded.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...ill-cherish-memorable-pakistan-tour-for-life/

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andy Flower "We go home with memories that I hope the boys will cherish for the rest of their lives" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvWXI?src=hash">#PAKvWXI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/909148726874255371">September 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan successfully hosted the three-match T20I series against World XI in Lahore and the home side emerged winners after clinching the series 2-1. World XI coach Andy Flower though thanked Pakistan for their hospitality and the kind of arrangements that were made for the side.

“The food was very good, top-drawer food. But seriously, I just loved seeing the emotions on people’s faces, that’s something that stood out for me, how much it meant for the people of Pakistan. That goes way beyond what you do on the cricket field,” he said. “You look around the field and every person says thank you very much for coming, and you see the generosity comes from a deep place in their hearts. That’s the most special thing to be a part of.”

Adding to this Flower said that his side and the players will cherish their stay in Pakistan.

“We’ve been extremely well looked after, we go home on Saturday with memories that I hope the boys will cherish for the rest of their lives,” Flower said. “This tour is another reminder of the fact that cricket transcends boundaries. The way Pakistani people and the crowd, particularly at this ground, cheered for us at the end of the second game which we won, and beat their national side, they made us feel right at home.”

“We had said that this was more than just the cricket tour, the public showed their appreciation and the players interacted with the crowds at the hotel and at the ground, and the security agency proved that they can provide a safe and secure environment. I really hope this tour will inspire the young people in Pakistan; they’ve seen some of the best players across the world live in action and this might be the beginning of the cricketing journey of the next Hashim Amla or Faf du Plessis. One thing which I think we should all remember is that these are baby steps and I’m sure that Pakistan board will take one safe and steady step at a time,” he added.

“That won’t be my decision. I can just relate my experiences over here, but there will have to be a complete different set of things put in place for South Africa to come and tour here. What I can say is the fact that we’ve been in Lahore here now and we did feel safe. I’m sure if there was an opportunity to come here and they saw all the procedures that are put in place and the feedback we as a players give, then that could be option,” he said.

World XI captain Faf Du Plessis too thanked Pakistan for their treatment as he took to social media and wrote, “Arrived safely back home .Thank you Pakistan and Lahore for your hospitality ✌&#55356;&#57339;”

Pakistan was barred from hosting international cricket after a Sri Lankan team was attacked by gunmen while touring the country back in 2009. Since then Pakistan just managed to host a bilateral tie against Zimbabwe in 2015. The World XI series was seen as a revival of international cricket in Pakistan.

http://indianexpress.com/article/sp...ives-says-world-xi-coach-andy-flower-4848343/