ISLAMABAD - International Cricket Council (ICC) president Zaheer Abbas has hoped that the first edition of the Pakistan Superb League (PSL) will be a huge success.
Talking to The Nation, Zaheer said: “As an ICC president and above all being a Pakistani, my sincere wishes are with the PCB, PSL organisers and the players who are part of the PSL. I hope the first edition of the PSL will be a huge success. The PCB has done a highly commendable job, and they deserve all the credit.”
“Under present circumstances, launching of the PSL would certainly boost Pakistan cricket and players especially the youth would benefit a great deal, while playing alongside top national and international players. It is really appreciable that the PCB has managed to take onboard some of the biggest names of cricketing world. One thing is sure that it will be really a mega hit,” the ICC president added.
To another query regarding the venue of the PSL, Zaheer replied: “It makes no difference whether the PSL is held in UAE or Qatar, as wherever it will take place, it will be witnessed and lauded by spectators. Doha was also a very suitable place for conducting the event, as lots of Indian, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis reside there and they would have definitely come in quite numbers to make the PSL a grand and mega event.
“But as Pakistan is using UAE as its second home, they enjoy same liberty and I hope the PSL’s first edition will attract massive crowds and cricket lovers in the UAE,” he added.
When asked why he was the notable absentee from the launching ceremony of Pakistan Super League (PSL), which raised questions among some quarters, Zaheer replied: “There are rubbish rumors, as the matter of the fact is that I was very much invited, but I reached Karachi from India last night and I could not make it to Lahore. As flight arrived Karachi directly, I couldn’t catch up the next flight to Lahore.
Zaheer termed Jagmohan Dalmiya's death a great loss of cricket community saying he has lost a great admirer and personal friend. “Former ICC president Dalmiya, who was also present BCCI president, was a true cricket lover and an advocate of Pakistan-India bilateral cricket series. He was the one, who, when he was at the helm of BCCI affairs, arranged the landmark 2004 cricket series between the two neighboring countries in the highly difficult times.”
Zaheer said: “When I was in the PCB interim committee, Dalmiya always managed his availability to meet him. We used to meet and exchange our views and he gave me a lot of respect and honor.
I must say, Pakistan has lost a great friend. His services for cricket will be remembered for the time to come, his neat and clean image also helped him a great deal in earning respect not only in subcontinent, but across the cricket world. His untimely and unfortunate death will be condoled throughout the cricketing world,” he added.
To a query regarding his discussions with Indian counterparts or journalists about cricket series with Pakistan during his stay in India, Zaheer replied: “Not much, as there is still a long way to go regarding Indian tour of Pakistan and the agreed bilateral series between the two countries.
There are a lot of issues, and I can't comment much on that. But one thing quite clear that, people of both sides of the border want to watch their players playing against each other. It is the biggest cricketing battle witnessed on earth, when two of the super powers of Asia collide against each other. As a player, it is my utmost wish that cricket must take place, no matter at which part of the world and I want cricket all over the globe.”
“As an ICC president, my aim and mission is to spread cricket to all corners of the world and I hope soon it will be played everywhere,” Zaheer concluded.