‘Pushups comments were not aimed at any institution’

ISLAMABAD: Lord’s Test victory pushups by Pakistan cricket team members echoed in the National Assembly Inter-provincial Standing Committee meeting on Monday with PML-N member Rana Mohammad Afzal Khan eager to dispel the impression that previous criticism was aimed at any particular institution.

The meeting that was chaired by Abdul Qaahar Khan Wadan had no cricket agenda, but Rana Afzal looked adamant to clear his name, saying that during the previous meeting some members just showed curiosity as to why those pushups were necessary. “Some section of media tried to give that criticism a different look. That criticism was not aimed at any institution. We must clarify this,” he said.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has already stated that the pushups were a tribute to Army trainers who worked hard with the team in Abbottabad ahead of the England tour.

Later taking to media, IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain supported the decision to separate Pakistan Super League (PSL) from the PCB. “MQM is making an issue out of nothing. There is no harm in making PSL a separate entity,” he said.

He said he expected international sports to return to the country in 2017. “Davis Cup arrival has already signalled the return of international sports,” the minister said.  Pakistan are to play against Iran in the Davis Cup tie at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) courts from February 3-5. It is after 12 years that a team is coming to Pakistan for playing Davis Cup tie.  Riaz said he would take up the Junior Hockey World Cup issue with the authorities concerned.