LONDON – The chairman of Pakistan’s cricket regulatory authority hascredited the country’s military as well as former prime minister NawazSharif for helping bring a turnaround in the national cricket team’sfortunes.
Speaking to a pirvate TV challen, Najam Sethi — the chairman of thePakistan Cricket Board (PCB) — said he told British Prime Minister TheresaMay that the Pakistan Army had done a great job by ending the menace ofterrorism from the country and made huge sacrifices for national securityand peace.
Sethi met May recently at Lord’s during the first Test between England andPakistan.
“I told [her] that Pakistan awaits a visit by the England team [and that]we need your help … I reminded the British PM that Pakistan Army had done agreat job in ending terrorism and made big sacrifices. “As a result, theconditions at our home are better; hence, we are inviting foreigners tocome and visit us. We have made Pakistan safe.”
The PCB chair said the cricket authority was in a disarray prior to hisappointment by Nawaz, who asked him to bring order and implement essentialreforms.
“After Nawaz Sharif asked me to look after the PCB, he never interfered inmy business. [Nawaz] mandated me to put the PCB in order and bring cricketto Pakistan and that was a national agenda.
“This wasn’t his personal agenda, there was no reward or no politicsinvolved. He thought that someone with managerial experience was needed inthe PCB and we worked hard to achieve our objectives,” Sethi said. Helauded Pakistan’s victory at Lord’s which left the English team stunned,saying the English commentators had agreed that the current Pakistani teamis “professional, good-natured, and has a proper camaraderie”.
British PM impressed with performance of Pakistan cricket team “They werenot expecting Pakistan to be so good. They were overconfident and that’swhat made them bat first after winning the toss.” Sethi said Pakistan’scurrent line-up comprises young players who made their way up into the teampurely on merit.
“They are playing as a tight unit. The main factor is there is nofavouritism in the PCB anymore. Our coaches don’t accept references andfavouritism, we are working as per our plans.
“The PSL [Pakistan Super League] has given an opportunity to young playersto mix and socialize with international players … That helps in ending thefear.”
Sethi said he hopes that England will tour Pakistan in the near future. Hesaid that Pakistan has matches coming up with England, New Zealand andAustralia and it would like these countries to play at least some matchesin Pakistan.