Karachi security is adequate to host international teams: Shahryar

KARACHI: Pakistan is planning to invite Hong kong and Oman cricket teams to tour in preparations for next year’s ICC World Twenty20 to be held in India, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shahryar Khan said on Thursday.

We would be extending invitations to Hong Kong and Qatar to play practice matches, he told reporters here at the National Stadium. He said these matches will be staged in Karachi, where he added security situation was adequate to host international teams.

The PCB chairman said it would benefit both the qualifying teams to practice in similar conditions as India as the event is being held in the neighbouring country in March 2016.

He expressed the hope that teams from Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands may visit Pakistan next year also.

However, the PCB chief added that he wanted to first attract A teams, juniors, under-19s and National women’s teams to visit Pakistan.

The PCB head expressed hope that the Indian government would soon issue clearance to its national team to play against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He said apart from National Stadium, Karachi also holds an alternate venue in Southend Club in DHA, where teams can have boarding and lodging facilities as well.

Action against players, regions for selecting unfit players

PCB will not compromise on the fitness and discipline of the players and action will be taken against players and regional officials if they failed to select fully fit players, said Khan.

The PCB chief was visiting National Stadium to attend the closing ceremony of PCB LG Super Speed training camp of fast bowlers which concluded here today.

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram was supervising the training camp with NCA chief Muhammad Akram and former Test opener Azam Khan.

Sponsor s LG Electronics representative Philip Kim was also present on the occasion.

Pakistan had faced a lot of embarrassment after dozens of their players were found unfit which affected the performance of the teams, said Shahryar Khan. He said former chief coach late Bob Woolmer had said that Pakistan have good players but they were unable to achieve fitness level required at the top level.
The PCB chairman said it was heartening that senior players like Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan were among the fittest players of the team.

He commended the services of Wasim Akram for coming and supervising the training camp in national interest.

Khan said PCB fully supports the bowlers with humble background and bears expenses of their education.

Wasim Akram, on the occasion, said he was honoured for being given the opportunity to train young and talented fast bowlers and returning something to the country. He vowed to conduct similar trainings twice a year to produce quality fast bowlers for the country.

Bilal Shah of Mardan was declared the best bowler of the camp and was awarded Rs100,000. Muhammad Umair and Ijaz Ahmed of Peshawar and Afraz Khoso of Sukkur received Rs50,000 each.