Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ch Zaka Ashraf has said the Bangladesh team’s tour to Pakistan is still on and only date adjustments are being worked out in consultation with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Talking to the reporters here on Monday on the return of Pakistan team after winning the one-day series, Zaka said: “Bangladesh team's tour to Pakistan is not off. It is still on and we are working on adjusting dates of the tour with the cooperation of the BCB.”
On their arrival here at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, all the players and the team management officials were extravagantly garlanded by the cricket crazy fans who were present there to accord warm welcome to their national heroes.
The PCB chief said he had very fruitful meeting with the BCB head Nazam ul Hasan and discussed with him the tour of Bangladesh team to Pakistan. “We are confident we will soon be announcing the dates of the tour which will surely help in reviving international cricket in Pakistan.Zaka also claimed that Indian team would tour Pakistan in near future as cricket diplomacy was on between the two countries.
When his attention was drawn to the statement of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) authorities that the Indian team would not visit Pakistan as it needed to improve its security and law and order situation, Zaka said: “We are working on it and we will give a very good news to the nation in this regard very soon as both the countries are involved in cricket diplomacy.”
He attributed Pakistan team's success in one-day series to collective team’s efforts and hard work of the players. “It is a remarkable triumph which our team achieved after 2005 as the last time it won against India. I would like to say that all the players contributed well and did their best to inspire the team to success.”
Zaka said Pakistan team was gelling into a winning combination with each passing day and it was hoped that it would continue its winning streak in future too. He said the superb performance of Pakistan left the Indian crowds in surprise as they were not expecting that performance from Pakistan to outplay India in all the departments of game.
ODI skipper Misbahul Haq said the team achieved a milestone by defeating India through their collective show. “It is a big success and all credit goes to the entire team having youngsters in the ranks who underlined their talent with splendid performance,” he said.
He dispelled impression that Pakistan seemed relaxed in the final match.“We were fully focused and determined to win the last game but we could not get a favourable result as the Indian team fought back in a better way and they must be given credit to their victory.”
Pakistan T20 captain M Hafeez congratulated the whole nation on team's success which came after eight years. He said my finger was injured and was still feeling pain. “I will go to doctor for check up and then will come to know what has happened actually.”
Lauding the good show of Pakistan team, Hafeez said: “The team played brilliantly and excelled in all departments of the game and our young players especially Nasir Jamshed, Junaid Khan and M Irfan helped the team to earn victories. Hard work and training on part of the management motivated every player to fight with a renewed zeal to beat India on their soil.”
The hard work and commitment of players surprised Indians. “We waited long for this tour and worked really hard and all the players gave their best to outclass arch-rivals in India.”
“ICC should take Pakistan’s tour to India positively and help us reviving international cricket in Pakistan as a large number of cricket crazy fans are waiting to witness international cricket in their home grounds,” he concluded.