LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director domestic Intikhab Alam has said that the credit of international cricket return to Pakistan goes to board chairman Shaharyar M Khan and the government whose sincere efforts has now been bearing fruit. Talking to the reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium Sunday, Intikhab said: “Due to sincere efforts of the PCB chairman and the government, Pakistan succeeded in getting two Twenty20 and three one-day international matches – all allocated to Lahore. The successful hosting of this series will prove very beneficial for the country and will open international cricket gates on Pakistan.”
He said that the warm welcome and excitement of the cricket-crazy masses showed that they wanted more team should come to Pakistan and play cricket here. “Seeing the passion and support of Pakistani cricket fans, more teams should come here to play cricket series with us. They too will be accorded warm welcome and provided foolproof security.”
Lauding the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) for sending their team to Pakistan in the time when Pakistan cricket direly needed this, Intikhab said: “Zimbabwe supported us at the time, when it mattered the most and we will never forget their this great gesture and timely support. They are great friends of us and we will leave no stone unturned in providing every possible facility to them along with foolproof security. And if other teams to visit us to play series, they will also be provided best possible facilities and foolproof security.”
To a query regarding national team’s performance, the director domestic replied: “Our team performed very well in the first Twenty20 international, and I hope they will do well in the second T20 as well and it is hoped that they will impose whitewash on Zimbabwe.”             –Azhar Khan