KARACHI: National Stadium remains very much in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s initiative of staging top-class fixtures whenever the situation is ideal for international teams to tour the country, Chairman Shaharyar Mohammad Khan said on Wednesday.

Addressing a media conference here at the NSK, the PCB chief expressed a personal desire to see the historic venue hosting foreign teams while also emphasizing the need for urgent renovation of the stadium.

“During my visit this time, I came with an open mind to explore the possibilities of holding [international] matches here in this wonderful city. Therefore, it is imperative whenever we get the green signal from the concerned authorities, the PCB should ensure some games are allocated to Karachi,” Shaharyar said.

‘Uplift of NSK, holding PSL matches here a priority’

“Obviously, isn’t it unfair that why just one city should host international teams? In the past couple of days, I had parleys with the Sindh chief secretary and top security officials to find ways and means to ensure stringent measures are in place when we decide to hold the matches here.”

The PCB chairman further stressed on matches being staged at different venues while saying Karachi has remained peaceful for the past several years. “This is the idea I have in mind. We must treat everyone equally and not just focus on one city. Lahore has been organizing matches for a while, here and there. But if international cricket returns to Pakistan in full flow, then we should be prepared to have everything well planned,” he stressed.

“Issues pertaining to security are of paramount importance and we won’t leave any stone unturned in our endeavour of playing hosts to international teams. Karachi cannot be ignored when it comes to international cricket returning to Pakistan. In the past couple of years, we had seen Zimbabwe play in Lahore as well as Kenya while Karachi hosted the Bangladesh women’s team not long ago,” he observed.

“Of course, there are no guarantees the world over on issues which are beyond our control. The threat of terrorism is not just confined to Pakistan. It is everywhere, be if Afghanistan or even France and US. But we are hopeful the situation in Pakistan would continue to improve and Karachi in particular has been quite peaceful over the past three years.”

Shaharyar said the PCB will be organizing some matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year at the National Stadium and revealed the arena would be renovated as soon as possible.

“I see no reason why can’t we have at least two to four matches of the third PSL staged in Karachi because the cricket fans here deserve some entertainment. But to achieve our objective it is very important to renovate the stadium. The stands are in dilapidated condition and require urgent repair works, especially the rooftops which could endanger the lives of the fans sitting in these stands,” the PCB chairman pointed out. “We are already working out the cost of repairing them and once that is sorted out, this place will be undergoing the repair work.”

Commenting on the scheduled Bangladesh series being put off, Shaharyar explained Pakistan is still on playing them but on its own terms.

“Our contention is quite simple to be honest. We have already been to Bangladesh for two tours and would now like them [Bangladesh] to reciprocate by playing Pakistan because it is our series and our time to host them, not the other way round,” the chairman remarked. “We are in constant touch with the Bangladesh Cricket Board officials to work out something. I repeat we are ready to play them but as the host country.”

Meanwhile, the PCB chairman urged the media to show restrain in the ongoing spot-fixing inquiry and not jump the gun. “I have noted with deep concern how anxious some of you are. The queries from you people on this issue have been repeated several times. It is pointless for me to comment on something which will be decided by the anti-corruption tribunal. So be patient.”

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2017