LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M Khan has said that no decision has been taken yet regarding resumption of Pakistan-India bilateral cricket series as they are awaiting the reply of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in this regard.
“We are in constant touch with the BCCI on phone to resume the series and we are hopeful that the Indian cricket authorities will come up with an answer in few days,” he told media at a news conference here at Gaddafi Stadium.
He said the Pakistan government had given go ahead to the PCB as far resumption of the series was concerned while the Indian government was awaiting the nod of their Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all depended on his decision.
To a query, the PCB chairman said he had detailed discussions and meetings with Pakistan cricket team coach Waqar Younis and chief selector Haroon Rasheed in the backdrop of the Pakistan’s defeat in one day and T20 formats to England at UAE. “The prime focus of these meetings was to ascertain the factors responsible for team’s defeat and team’s coach and the chief selector explained them and I am satisfied with their reasoning,” he said.
“The selection committee, captain and the team management took decisions in the larger interest of the team and there is no reason to disagree with them,” he added.
He said it was an alarming sign that the team slipped to number six ranking after being at number two in the T20 format and the reaction of the lovers of the game was justified as the team had earlier lost the one day series as well. “I have clearly told everyone that time to make experiments has passed and there is no option but to work on improving teams batting, fielding and bowling besides working on the mental toughness of players. We have to do all that in order to form a strong team for T20 World Cup and to bring consistency in its performance,” he added.
Shaharyar dispelled the impression that grouping exists in the national team and said every player is eager to contribute for the betterment of the team and to bring glory for the country.
To another query, the PCB chairman said pace bowler M Aamir was well on path to make a comeback in the team which is evident from his recent performance in Bangladesh team. “We are in a process to finalize a policy to induct Aamir in the team and I would also advise him to be more down to earth and modest by bringing change in his attitude.”