LONDON, Nov 19 (APP)- England and Wales Cricket Board has indicated its willingness to host Indo-Pakistan Test series due in 2011 in England as way to help Pakistan cricket which due to the current security situation in the South Asian country is deprived of international cricket at home.Speaking at a reception hosted here at the Lord’s last evening to mark the launch of the Pakistan-Australia series next summer in the UK, ECB President Giles Clarke said if both Pakistani and Indian Boards agree, this could be organised in England given the fact that Britain has substantial population of people belonging to the sub-continent living in this country.
“The English cricket is willing to help Pakistan in every possible way but it was up to both Pakistan and Indian Boards to decide,” he told.
Under the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), India is due to visit Pakistan in 2011.
Butt responded by saying that much will depend on the security situation in Pakistan in the coming months.
Responding to a question posed by former England captain Mike Atherton who anchored the event, Butt said the financial position of PCB was in a good shape and with a number of Test matches lined up till next summer, this will have further healthy impact on the finances.
Earlier, in a short speech, he said Pakistan was looking at the next summer twin series against Australia and England with great anticipation although it would have loved to organise these matches on its own home soil.
“We could not get a better venue to play our ‘home series’ in England and hopefully we will get more matches to play in England until such time when the situation back home stabilises and international cricket returns to Pakistan.
He thanked ECB for going out of way to help PCB in organising the series against Australia in July.
Pakistan High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan expressed hope that the upcoming series in England will be great success given the enthusiasm and passion found in British-Pakistanis for cricket.
He said Australia is one of the top cricketing playing nation and the game lovers will have plenty of thrilling moments to savour when the two teams clashes in a Test series.
The British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe speaking on the occasion spoke about cricket bringing two communities together. He said it will be fascinating to watch Pakistan and Australia battle out on the English grounds next summer.
“We would do everything possible to ensure a successful Test series between Pakistan and Australia.”
Clarke in his formal speech complimented PCB Chairman for showing enormous determination to ensure that this remarkable ground breaking series go ahead smoothly.
“Long and happy relationship between England and Pakistan has never been so strong,” said Clarke who also thanked his Australian counterpart Jack Charles for agreeing to hold Pakistan-Australia series in England.
He said it was essential that all those who care about cricket do what they can to ensure that this Pakistan tour was a great success.
During the course of next summer, there will also be over 80 days of international cricket throughout the season with Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India A, New Zealand A, New Zealand women, and Australia U19s all touring, beginning in May when Bangladesh take on England Lions in Derby and ending on September 22 when England face Pakistan in the final ODI of the five match NatWest Series.
The President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), John Barclay said Pakistan needs cricket as the country is a part of a rich cricketing culture. “This culture must be preserved and cherished,” he remarked.
He said MCC is honoured to host Pakistan at Lord’s which the club owns.
The British Communities and Cohesion Minister Shahid Malik said cricket was a passion among the Pakistan-origin people living in the UK. He said when the international cricket eventually returns to Pakistan it would be a powerful signal to the world. The support for Pakistan in the UK was phenomenal as some 80,000 journeys take place between the two countries annually.
Malik said the British people salute the courage and determination of Pakistanis to face the challenges and stabilise their country.
Resting’ captain Younus Khan said the series both against Australia and England would provide good opportunities for the upcoming youngsters to prove their mettle against Australia on seaming English wickets.
Present among the guests were former Pakistan Test cricketers Asif Iqbal and Nasim ul Ghani, former England captain Mike Brearley, President, UK-PCCI Dr.Ashraf Chohan, members of the business community, senior Pakistani diplomats and officials of English cricket.....LINK
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