In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Mushtaq expressed his satisfaction at the efforts of the PCB to organize a high profile series against India and also cast a critical eye at factors which would result in success for the PCB’s T20 league initiative.

By Amir Husain (31st October 2012) 

The reign of the present Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf, began with a promise to lift the dark clouds of gloom that had descended on Pakistani cricket. With the nations favourite pastime already battling the stigma associated with the spot fixing controversy, it was also Pakistan’s misfortune that events in March 2009 had resulted in international cricket shunning its shores.

To further add to the malaise, the Indian government has refused to allow any contact with Pakistan on the cricket field (the ICC World Cup 2011 being an exception) with Pakistani players also unable to take part in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) where they could play side by side with some of the world’s top players. Instead, Pakistan’s most talented players have had to ply their trade in many of the newer private leagues in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The average Pakistani fan has thus been deprived of some exciting cricket in both the domestic and international arena.

Fortunately for Pakistani cricket and it's millions of fans, this downward spiral is about to be arrested by some astute leadership and sound planning. After an almost endless wait and despite wide scale cynicism, Zaka Ashraf has been able to bring some long awaited cheer for the nation in the shape of the announcement of plans for the commencement of an IPL style Pakistani league in March of next year as well as the tour of India in December of this year.

Whereas the stature of the T20 league in Pakistan may not hit the same heady heights as that of the internationally acclaimed IPL tournament, the significance of a Pakistan based league with the possibility of participation of foreign players cannot be underestimated.

Similarly, the planned tour of India which has now received the blessings of the Indian Foreign Ministry is also causing ripples of excitement amongst fans and experts alike.

Ex captain Mushtaq Mohammed, who himself led Pakistan to a memorable Test series victory against India in Pakistan (1978-79), is in a unique position to understand the importance of any such contest between the two countries. In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Mushtaq expressed his satisfaction at the efforts of the PCB to organize a high profile series against India and also cast a critical eye at factors which would result in success for the PCB’s T20 league initiative.

With the eyes of the cricketing world now focused firmly at Pakistan’s first foray into the T20 format Premier League tournament, it is important that the competition is organized and played in the most professional manner possible and mistakes made by organizers of other similar tournaments are not repeated. In this regard, Mushtaq had this advice to offer to the PCB.

“Firstly, let me congratulate the PCB for their effort to organize a tournament of this magnitude. However, I would warn the PCB about the fate of the other tournaments which have tried to copy the IPL model but essentially failed to pay the players on time or at all in some cases. As a result the players are hesitant to join any other league in case they don’t get paid. The PCB has to learn from the mistakes of others so that they themselves don’t make that error. In this way they can maintain and strengthen the reputation of Pakistani cricket. I wish the PCB the best in this endeavour and hope it will be a brilliant success.“

Generally accepted as a regretful by-product of the lack of international cricket in Pakistan, the at times chaotic scenes witnessed at the venue during the recently played matches in Karachi are also a worry for Mushtaq, who feels that a tournament of this stature will require the very best in terms of organization by the PCB. He is also clear that top ranked international players may not readily make themselves available for the Pakistani League which is another reason for ensuring that the tournament is conducted to the highest standards for it's future success.

“PCB has to stage this tournament in the most professional manner – otherwise there is no point doing this! This is absolutely important as the eyes of the world will be on Pakistan. The PCB must guarantee the security of the players and venues. The recent games in Karachi were the result of efforts by well meaning individuals, however we saw some “amateurish” aspects of organization which I don’t expect from the PCB. As we know, only international players nearing the end of their careers are likely to attend the Pakistani League. I don’t think any of the current players will be interested unless the PCB can demonstrate (via the first edition) it's ability to provide security and honour it's commitment to pay players.”

It has been widely reported that the Pakistani League is set to kick off in March 2013 with the closing ceremony likely to be held in the second week of April 10, with its knockout stages certain to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) that starts from the 3rd of April. The packed international calendar may be to blame for this schedule but could this have adverse effects on the ability for the Pakistani League to attract foreign players? “Absolutely”, says Mushtaq Mohammed - “International players who are thinking of taking part in the Pakistani League may find themselves in a difficult position to choose between both competitions and given the importance of the IPL, it’s the Pakistani League that may lose out if the players have to make a choice.”

As the winning captain of the first Test series between Pakistan and India which was held in Pakistan after an eighteen year gap, Mushtaq is well aware of the significance of any encounter between the 2 traditional rivals but is saddened by the fact that the series of such significance contains no Test matches.

“It’s nice to see Pakistan and India resume their cricketing ties which really shouldn’t have stopped if it hadn’t been for the politicians. These are two talented sides that should play on a regular basis. I hope this series later in the year is the start of uninterrupted series between the Asian rivals and I thank the BCCI for inviting Pakistan to play cricket, although I do wish that there were at least 2 Test matches in the series which I and most players believe to be the true test of any side.”

With the 2 nations taking tentative steps towards normalization of their cricketing ties by holding this series in India, Chairman Zaka Ashraf is facing some amount of criticism at home for not insisting on a reciprocal visit by the Indian team to Pakistan. Given the sensitivity of the relations between both nations, Mushtaq while accepting the argument at its face value, feels that it's best to let matters take their own course - “Let's see how this goes. I am sure Zaka Ashraf will make all efforts to ensure that the Indian team also visits Pakistan as we do need international cricket in Pakistan. It will be great to see India play in Pakistan and it would do wonders for the relations between both countries. Of course, if playing in Pakistan is an issue then maybe a neutral venue could be chosen but it would never be like playing in Pakistan” he concluded.

Pakistan is scheduled to play a series of three ODIs and two Twenty20s in India although the final schedule is yet to be finalised by the respective cricket boards.