"We made Sri Lanka realise that they too had been victims of terrorism for 30 years" : Najam Sethi

[Abdullah719]

"We made Sri Lanka realise that they too had been victims of terrorism for 30 years" : Najam Sethi

Translation of Najam Sethi's interview with BBC Urdu:

"A security team from ICC will arrive in one or 2 days to assess security arrangements for the World XI tour"

"This security team will work with Punjab Police on arrangements for tour and stay there until World XI tour finishes"

"World XI will tour Pakistan next month where during their 4 day stay they will play 3 T20s"

"In our opinion, the success of the World XI tour is very important"

"The tour of World XI will send a powerful signal to the world and that is the basis for which SL have decided to tour Pakistan"

"We made SL realise that they too had been victims of terrorism for 30 years and during that time Pakistan cooperated with them"

"During that time, Pakistan team used to tour SL and it is time that they help us also"

http://www.bbc.com/urdu/sport-40936790

 

[Leo23]

great job by sethi as usual

but but but don't make him pcb chairman because politics )

 

[badsha001]

Personally don't like him but this guy knows how to get a job done...

 

[mak36]

"We made SL realise that they too had been victims of terrorism for 30 years and during that time Pakistan cooperated with them"

Why does he need to say this in public? Does he not realise diplomacy is behind closed doors?

 

[mak36]

great job by sethi as usual

but but but don't make him pcb chairman because politics )

Don't tell me you honestly think this has been discussed/agreed in the short period Sethi has been in charge.

Discussions have going on for a fair while. Sharayar Khan knew Sethi was going to take credit for this which is why he announced it on the cusp of his retirement. Nothing changed (in terms of security) in the short period between Khan prematurely announcing the news and SL announcing the news. It's pure politics.

 

[Dios]

Tour won't happen.

 

[saeed5646]

Tour won't happen.

reason why it won,t happen

 

[Leo23]

Don't tell me you honestly think this has been discussed/agreed in the short period Sethi has been in charge.

Discussions have going on for a fair while. Sharayar Khan knew Sethi was going to take credit for this which is why he announced it on the cusp of his retirement. Nothing changed (in terms of security) in the short period between Khan prematurely announcing the news and SL announcing the news. It's pure politics.

since sethi became involved with the pcb we have made ground on bringing cricket back to the country

zimbabwe tour and psl final happened because of him and he also managed to bring icc chief to visit few months back

he is very crucial for revival of international cricket in pakistan and that is obvious unless we choose to live in denial because of political agendas

 

[mak36]

since sethi became involved with the pcb we have made ground on bringing cricket back to the country

zimbabwe tour and psl final happened because of him and he also managed to bring icc chief to visit few months back

he is very crucial for revival of international cricket in pakistan and that is obvious unless we choose to live in denial because of political agendas

Why are you so keen to attribute that success to Sethi?

Sharayar Khan was the chairman during the Zimbabwe tour and PSL final- he deserves credit for that as well.

It's got nothing to do with political agenda. I haven't formed an opinion on his chairmanship yet, given he has only been in the job for five minutes. If he does well I will praise him. If he messes up (read: calling all the players back at the very last second) I will criticise him.

You however seem to think the sun shines out of his proverbial. Your blind support for him leads me to think your account is run by the very man himself.

 

[cricketerB94]

Why are you so keen to attribute that success to Sethi?

Sharayar Khan was the chairman during the Zimbabwe tour and PSL final- he deserves credit for that as well.

It's got nothing to do with political agenda. I haven't formed an opinion on his chairmanship yet, given he has only been in the job for five minutes. If he does well I will praise him. If he messes up (read: calling all the players back at the very last second) I will criticise him.

You however seem to think the sun shines out of his proverbial. Your blind support for him leads me to think your account is run by the very man himself.

Why are you so keen to attribute that success to Shahryar?

It is clear as sky that Sethi is doing most of the work to bring back cricket in Pakistan. He is the chief executive of PSL and he could arrange final in Dubai after those bomb blasts in Lahore as everyone would be happy and he would have the reason to take the U-turn, but still he arranged the final in Lahore after all the criticism and invited security experts from all other boards and ICC to see the security arrangements and help them bring cricket back in Pakistan.

Sethi is also the reason Zimbabwe team came to Lahore. He managed to convince their CEO to come to Pakistan with his team. As we all know, this world runs on money. So he offered them a lot of money to eventually come to Lahore and play a full series excluding tests.

Sethi is also the reason behind SL's chief latest statements about visiting Pakistan. We have seen what the authorities of SL said after Shahryar's statements. They were not convinced at all. But it is clear from their latest statements that Sethi has convinced them in ACC meetings to play in Pakistan.

Sethi is not the sole reason why players have been called back for national t20s. Inzi and Micky has most of their part in this decision. Inzi clearly stated during last year's domestic season that players would not be allowed to play in other leagues during domestic season. And Micky stated in one of his interviews to start a camp for SL series from August 22. That is why players have been called back to report to Micky on August 22.

Moreover, I am seeing no problems in call back of players. It was clearly stated in their NOC that they would be called back earlier if World XI series goes ahead. And according to PCB sources, World XI series is not just going ahead but its dates has also been brought back due to elections in Lahore. The national t20 tournament is for the preparation of World XI series and all those players who want to be in contention for that series will play that tournament. Now don't tell me that players should prepare in West Indies or England for the series in Pakistan. They have been called back for national duty and according to guidelines written in their NOC. Even Peter Handscomb has left county for the preparation of BD tour.

So, Sethi did not mess it up. It is the elections in Lahore which messed it up. And no, I am not a PMLN supporter.

 

[MenInG]

Apologies but Sri Lankan cricketers were attacked in Pakistan so instead of being grateful to SL, Sethi Sahib is talking as if we SL have something to be ashamed about

 

[Cricfan4eva]

So SL who sent in a team in 2009 when many top sides weren't willing too and then had their players right in the crossfires of terrorists needs remembering how they should keep sending their players to Pakistan because they owe it to Pak?

Wah! way to go, I wouldn't be surprised if SL suddenly have a change of heart and decide "its not the right climate to tour Pak".

PCB have a very childish behavior when it comes to claiming victory, they always jump the gun and end with egg on their faces.

 

[cricketerB94]

As always, some people are criticizing Sethi for one comment just for the sake of criticism. You always have to make someone realize what favors you did to them when they were in similar conditions before getting some favors back from them.

 

[Sherlock]

What a stupid statement to make.

Instead of keeping this under-wraps, Sethi has shown once again what kind of person he truly is. No need for that at all.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Idiotic statements to make to say the least.

 

[Executioner]

I wish Lanka tours and so does Bangladesh.

But why a pathetic statement by the PCB chairman. The Lankans toured Pakistan when no one wanted to tour them. And you mention the fact that Lanka too is suffering

This gives out a message that because Lanka had its terrorism problem they should be okay touring another country with terrorism problem.

PCB doesn't know how to maintain relationships with other boards. Already 3 subcontinental neighbors are in PCB's backlist.

 

[Executioner]

As always, some people are criticizing Sethi for one comment just for the sake of criticism. You always have to make someone realize what favors you did to them when they were in similar conditions before getting some favors back from them.

But no need to mention it in public surely? This was a mention of Lanka having their own share of problem. No need to mention that.

 

[cricketerB94]

But no need to mention it in public surely? This was a mention of Lanka having their own share of problem. No need to mention that.

Translation of Najam Sethi's interview with BBC Urdu:

"We made SL realise that they too had been victims of terrorism for 30 years and during that time Pakistan cooperated with them"

"During that time, Pakistan team used to tour SL and it is time that they help us also"

http://www.bbc.com/urdu/sport-40936790

I think BBC Urdu takes interviews, not speeches. Surely he has been asked about that or something regarding that and he is giving a reply. Even SLC chief applauded Pakistan's efforts when they were in similar situation and Pakistan and India helped them. Maybe the question was in response to that statement and hence Sethi's reply. We don't know the full story when all we have are just answers.

 

[Amir]

Sethi just promoting Sethi here. No care for Pakistan cricket or he would have otherwise just shut up.

If Anthony Scaramucci (White House ex-communcations director) worked with Sethi, we all know how he would describe Sethi.

Also why the hell do we need players for a national camp for couple of T20s against a team that too will be assembled two weeks before the series? This is not some long away test tour. This is why people have an issue. Who cares what the NOC says. Use common sense. The players have more to gain especially Sarf, Amir and Fakhar who are playing in England. Let the others make their money in the Caribbean, keep them happy or you risk alienating our players and those that do not want to be alienated, won't want to be centrally contracted (much like majority of the West Indies team).

Honestly, who needs to prepare for a friendly series against the World XI. Nothing to gain. We will be playing fringe players and has-beens. Whole point is to get cricket back to Pakistan, not to win a dumb friendly series. Also majority of these guys just played together two months ago in the ICC CT. Again, whats the need for another dumb camp?

 

[cric_man]

Poor choice of words from Sethi.
You don't remind friends of anything. Your friends will help you in your hour of need without being prodded to do so.
He should have said "We are immensely grateful to our Sri Lankan brothers for touring Pakistan"

When Australia & West Indies pulled out their games in SL during the '96 world cup, Pakistan & India sent a joint team to show solidarity with our SL brothers. It was done spontaneously without SL board asking or reminding us of anything.

It is a huge gesture on SLCB's part if they have agreed to tour Pak after being actually targeted by terrorist in 2009.

 

[Enigma_]

Poorly worded but also unnecessary at the same time. I get what he's trying to say though.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has hired an international security company on a three-year term in order to aid the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said on Tuesday.

Sethi told Dawn that the security company will visit the country during either the last week of August or the first week of September.

“It’s a step by the ICC for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan,” Sethi said. “The company is based in three countries — the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates — and has a good repute.

“A representative of the Federation of International Cricketers (FICA) will accompany the security company to personally monitor the security situation in Lahore.

“It will be a four-day visit where the security company will work with the government of Punjab to get assurances that all the recommendations submitted by security experts of the different countries who visited Lahore to watch the final of the second Pakistan Super League (PSL) season have been incorporated by the government in its SOPs, or not.”

Sethi disclosed that the security team will visit the country each year and the ICC would pay them US$400,000 for every visit, making it a total of US$1.2million for the full three-year term.

PCB chief hails move, says it will lead to resumption of international cricket in country

“On the report of the security company, it would pave the way for resumption of international cricket to the country, clearing the way for the PSL to be played here,” Sethi added.

“The inclusion of the FICA representative is to satisfy the foreign players’ concerns over visiting Pakistan.”

The country’s cricket chief said the recommendations made by foreign security experts who came for the PSL final had been incorporated in the SOPs of the Punjab government.

SRI LANKA TOUR

Among the foreign delegations during the PSL final was one from Sri Lanka, which Sethi said, had given a positive report about the security arrangements and therefore Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had agreed on a short trip to Lahore during their upcoming series against Pakistan.

On that short trip in October, subject to security clearance, Sri Lanka could play a maximum of two T20 Internationals in Lahore.

“The Sri Lankans have agreed to play the third game of the T20 series against Pakistan in Lahore,” said Sethi, who returned home from Sri Lanka after presiding over the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Colombo. “The second match can also be staged in Lahore.”

The remaining matches of the full series including two Tests, five One-day Internationals and one T20 will be played in UAE.

He said the visit of the ICC World XI was almost on the cards but he could not, at this point in time, disclose the exact dates of the tour. The World XI is to play three T20 matches in Lahore next month.

Meanwhile, about shifting of the Asia Under-19 Cup to Malaysia from India, the PCB chairman said the decision was taken with consensus to avoid any controversy.

Sethi said the Indian delegates, who attended the ACC meeting, agreed to shift the event to Malaysia. He said the decision was taken in a friendly atmosphere and there was no acrimony.

He said although Sri Lanka could have been the next hosts of the Under-19 event, the decision to hold it in Malaysia was taken to promote cricket in the small cricketing nation.

He said the PCB would also help Maldives in promoting the game of cricket in the tiny island.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1351779/international-security-company-hired-for-pakistan-by-icc-sethi

 

[cricketjoshila]

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has hired an international security company on a three-year term in order to aid the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said on Tuesday.

Sethi told Dawn that the security company will visit the country during either the last week of August or the first week of September.

“It’s a step by the ICC for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan,” Sethi said. “The company is based in three countries — the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates — and has a good repute.

“A representative of the Federation of International Cricketers (FICA) will accompany the security company to personally monitor the security situation in Lahore.

“It will be a four-day visit where the security company will work with the government of Punjab to get assurances that all the recommendations submitted by security experts of the different countries who visited Lahore to watch the final of the second Pakistan Super League (PSL) season have been incorporated by the government in its SOPs, or not.”

Sethi disclosed that the security team will visit the country each year and the ICC would pay them US$400,000 for every visit, making it a total of US$1.2million for the full three-year term.

PCB chief hails move, says it will lead to resumption of international cricket in country

“On the report of the security company, it would pave the way for resumption of international cricket to the country, clearing the way for the PSL to be played here,” Sethi added.

“The inclusion of the FICA representative is to satisfy the foreign players’ concerns over visiting Pakistan.”

The country’s cricket chief said the recommendations made by foreign security experts who came for the PSL final had been incorporated in the SOPs of the Punjab government.

SRI LANKA TOUR

Among the foreign delegations during the PSL final was one from Sri Lanka, which Sethi said, had given a positive report about the security arrangements and therefore Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had agreed on a short trip to Lahore during their upcoming series against Pakistan.

On that short trip in October, subject to security clearance, Sri Lanka could play a maximum of two T20 Internationals in Lahore.

“The Sri Lankans have agreed to play the third game of the T20 series against Pakistan in Lahore,” said Sethi, who returned home from Sri Lanka after presiding over the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Colombo. “The second match can also be staged in Lahore.”

The remaining matches of the full series including two Tests, five One-day Internationals and one T20 will be played in UAE.

He said the visit of the ICC World XI was almost on the cards but he could not, at this point in time, disclose the exact dates of the tour. The World XI is to play three T20 matches in Lahore next month.

Meanwhile, about shifting of the Asia Under-19 Cup to Malaysia from India, the PCB chairman said the decision was taken with consensus to avoid any controversy.

Sethi said the Indian delegates, who attended the ACC meeting, agreed to shift the event to Malaysia. He said the decision was taken in a friendly atmosphere and there was no acrimony.

He said although Sri Lanka could have been the next hosts of the Under-19 event, the decision to hold it in Malaysia was taken to promote cricket in the small cricketing nation.

He said the PCB would also help Maldives in promoting the game of cricket in the tiny island.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1351779/international-security-company-hired-for-pakistan-by-icc-sethi

Why will the ICC pay 1.2mn to security agency?

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Sethi just promoting Sethi here. No care for Pakistan cricket or he would have otherwise just shut up.

If Anthony Scaramucci (White House ex-communcations director) worked with Sethi, we all know how he would describe Sethi.

Also why the hell do we need players for a national camp for couple of T20s against a team that too will be assembled two weeks before the series? This is not some long away test tour. This is why people have an issue. Who cares what the NOC says. Use common sense. The players have more to gain especially Sarf, Amir and Fakhar who are playing in England. Let the others make their money in the Caribbean, keep them happy or you risk alienating our players and those that do not want to be alienated, won't want to be centrally contracted (much like majority of the West Indies team).

Honestly, who needs to prepare for a friendly series against the World XI. Nothing to gain. We will be playing fringe players and has-beens. Whole point is to get cricket back to Pakistan, not to win a dumb friendly series. Also majority of these guys just played together two months ago in the ICC CT. Again, whats the need for another dumb camp?

Understand concept of confidence building measures. You think we are going to wait 30 years. This must be done now and Sethi is doing the business.

Compare him to other PCB chairmen who were obnoxious and couldn't communicate properly. I don't care how honest someone is if you can't communicate in a boardroom effectively then you shouldn't be there.

Cricket is coming back home and all haters can use some burnol

 

[cricf@n]

sorry to say in Srilanka Pakistan team was not attacked by terrorist...it was the failure of Pakistan government to let terrorist attack on Srilanka team. If they come please make sure history doesn't repeat itself

 

[shah_1]

Why will the ICC pay 1.2mn to security agency?

To help resume cricket in Pakistan

Sethi is doing well, got ICC to pay for security

 

[UN talkz]

PCB hopeful of positive ICC security report ahead of proposed World XI tour

Karachi : Pakistan cricket authorities are placing their hopes on a positive report from an international security company hired by the ICC to pave the way for the return of international teams to the country. The security company which is based in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates will be accompanied by a representative of the Federation of International Players Association (FICA) during a visit to Lahore at the end of August.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Najam Sethi said the report by the security company would decide the planned tour by the World eleven to Lahore followed by a visit by the Sri Lankan team for one or two T20 matches.

“The ICC is helping us in our endeavours to revive international cricket in Pakistan. The company has a good reputation and we are very hopeful they will find all our security arrangements and plan to their satisfaction,” Sethi said. The World eleven is scheduled to visit Lahore between September 10 and 15 to play three T20 matches with former Zimbabwean test player, Andy Flower presently putting together the World eleven outfit. Sethi said the security delegation would undertake a detailed visit for four days and meet with government officials and get assurances that all recommendations submitted by security experts who visited Lahore for the PSL final are implemented in the SOPs.

He said the government security officials had assured them that the recommendations of the security experts who came to Lahore in March had been implemented in the new SOPs. Sethi said that the security company will send its delegation to Pakistan every year to review security situation and arrangements and each visit will cost USD 400,000 which will be paid by the ICC. “This process will continue for three years,” he added.

The PCB chief said that the report of the security company will be very important for the PCB. “It will basically pave the way for the return of international cricket to Pakistan and also for the PSL to be played in its home country.” He said the PCB wanted a FICA representative to accompany the ICC security company so that foreign players concerns about playing in Pakistan are cleared.

Sethi made it clear that while he was thankful to the Chairman of the Sri Lankan cricket board for giving a very positive message for Pakistan cricket but it was a fact that the planned tour by Sri Lanka even for one or two matches was subject to government clearance.

Sethi who took over as Chairman of the PCB last week insisted his main priority was to get international teams to visit Pakistan again and remove their misgivings about security in the country.

 

[Leo23]

Why are you so keen to attribute that success to Shahryar?

It is clear as sky that Sethi is doing most of the work to bring back cricket in Pakistan. He is the chief executive of PSL and he could arrange final in Dubai after those bomb blasts in Lahore as everyone would be happy and he would have the reason to take the U-turn, but still he arranged the final in Lahore after all the criticism and invited security experts from all other boards and ICC to see the security arrangements and help them bring cricket back in Pakistan.

Sethi is also the reason Zimbabwe team came to Lahore. He managed to convince their CEO to come to Pakistan with his team. As we all know, this world runs on money. So he offered them a lot of money to eventually come to Lahore and play a full series excluding tests.

Sethi is also the reason behind SL's chief latest statements about visiting Pakistan. We have seen what the authorities of SL said after Shahryar's statements. They were not convinced at all. But it is clear from their latest statements that Sethi has convinced them in ACC meetings to play in Pakistan.

Sethi is not the sole reason why players have been called back for national t20s. Inzi and Micky has most of their part in this decision. Inzi clearly stated during last year's domestic season that players would not be allowed to play in other leagues during domestic season. And Micky stated in one of his interviews to start a camp for SL series from August 22. That is why players have been called back to report to Micky on August 22.

Moreover, I am seeing no problems in call back of players. It was clearly stated in their NOC that they would be called back earlier if World XI series goes ahead. And according to PCB sources, World XI series is not just going ahead but its dates has also been brought back due to elections in Lahore. The national t20 tournament is for the preparation of World XI series and all those players who want to be in contention for that series will play that tournament. Now don't tell me that players should prepare in West Indies or England for the series in Pakistan. They have been called back for national duty and according to guidelines written in their NOC. Even Peter Handscomb has left county for the preparation of BD tour.

So, Sethi did not mess it up. It is the elections in Lahore which messed it up. And no, I am not a PMLN supporter.

brilliant post

no wonder the usual suspects have ignored this

agendas every where

 

[UN talkz]

To help resume cricket in Pakistan

Sethi is doing well, got ICC to pay for security

Not for security but for security company ( a bunch of security experts ) who will analyse the security in Pakistan.

 

[cricketjoshila]

To help resume cricket in Pakistan

Sethi is doing well, got ICC to pay for security

This should have been paid by PCB and the country that is going to tour and not ICC.