LAHORE – Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mujeebur Rehman has said that Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a step forward for bringing international cricket back to Pakistan.
“It is a good sign that the PCB has officially launched the details of the PSL in which a galaxy of foreign players will take part and it will help a lot in reviving international cricket in Pakistan after the mega event explodes into action in March-April this year,” Mujeeb said in a statement from Doha here on Tuesday after 13 years since leaving the office way back in 1999.
He said Pakistan cricket suffered a lot owing to security concerns in past four years and the steps taken by current PCB regime for launching its own cricket league would ensure the return of international cricket in Pakistan.
“With the visit of foreign players from various cricket playing countries, a major cricket activity will be generated which will help in presenting positive image of Pakistan. The pragmatic step of starting the league will mark a new era of exciting cricket in Pakistan,” he added.
Mujeeb said the 100 million US dollars league would lure leading cricketers to Pakistani cricket grounds which will provide cricket crazy fans of the country an opportunity to see high quality cricket in their home grounds which became deserted during past many years as foreign teams declined to visit Pakistan owing to security issues.
He praised the leadership qualities of PCB chief Chaudhry Zaka Asrhaf for taking constructive measures to start the PSL and striving hard for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. “The PSL will not only be a money earning venture but also a step forward to give new dimensions to Pakistan cricket which badly needs the revival of international cricket in Pakistan,” the ex PCB chief said.
Mujeeb said the PSL would be an ideal opportunity for the home players to polish their skills and underline their cricket talent by excelling in the league. “We should encourage the cricket board for launching the PSL as its successful holding will inspire to its following edition with the help of new ideas and more organised efforts,” he added.
He also acknowledged the efforts of International Cricket Council (ICC) for supporting PCB’s stance for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. “The day is not far when foreign teams will start touring Pakistan, ending a four-year drought of international cricket.”
He praised the performance of Pakistan cricket team in its recent tour of India and said the performance graph of the team was going up with each passing day despite the hard fact that it did not play any cricket in its own grounds in past many years.
“Pakistan team is a mixture of experience and youth and it is good to see that young players are making their mark in the team by putting up splendid show. Nasir Jamshid, M Irfan and Junaid Khan are the few examples of the talent inducted in the team,” he stated.
“Pakistan team will maintain the flow of its success by giving much improved performance during the South Africa tour and try its best to register series victories in all the formats,” he concluded.