Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf spoke to the media about Pakistan's upcoming tour of India and also responded to the recent statements by the chief organiser of the Punjab Youth Festival and Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

1st November 2012

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf spoke to the media today regarding Pakistan's upcoming tour of India. Following are some of his comments at the press conference:

On finalising Pakistan's tour of India:

"A delegation will be sent to India prior to the tour in order to analyse the security arrangements etc."

"Those who criticise us are the ones who had been trying to organise such a tour for five years but were unable to reach an agreement. The BCCI Chairman said that those before us had been trying for such a series for 3 or 4 years, and look now - how we have developed an understanding in just 3 months and have invited the Pakistan team as well as the Sialkot Stallions for the Champions League. This is just the beginning."

"I am hopeful that progress will continue to be made in this regard and not only will both the countries develop friendship, but their teams will also start playing against each other on both sides of the order. However, all this depends upon the security situation in Pakistan."


On the Punjab Government's recent comments:

"I don't really want to comment on what Rana Mashood has said. The Pakistan Cricket Board has never indulged into politics. Can you name any official from our board who has given any political statements ever?"

"Regarding what they have said, I'd just say that their statements were all over the TV channels. The media should testify in our favour - you have all the footage where their officials had stated that they didn't know which team was coming. I didn't really want to talk a lot about it, but I have to now that they have touched this topic."

"Even today, I will say that we (PCB and Punjab Government) can work together to bring international cricket in Punjab. I have always offered the Punjab Government to work together. I even offered them to come with me and meet the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to brief him about the security plans etc. It's not about taking the credit, or about politics. It's about Pakistan and its image."

"I don't have a political agenda. I'm sincerely working hard to improve the image of Pakistan and bring international cricket back to Pakistan. It's disappointing to see people doubt your intentions."


On the main role-players in making the Indo-Pak series a possibility:

"Credit goes to the Patron Asif Ali Zardari - he spoke to Manmohan Singh on my request and convinced the Indian Government for this series. You have to get NOC from the government once the two boards have reached an agreement. We worked on the board level while the President payed a major role at the government level. I would also give credit to our Foreign Secretary - I went to meet him and President Zardari also gave instructions to him. The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries met and discussed the matters."

"After the meeting, the Foreign Secretaries stated to the media that they did not have any problem with the tour if the two cricket boards reach an agreement. India has an independent cricket board - it does not work under the government. When the government and the cricket board worked together, we achieved the desired outcome."

"I'm receiving a lot of messages from the Pakistani cricket fans who wish to go to India to watch the series. I'm thankful to the Indian government as they're considering to soften the visa restrictions for Pakistani cricket fans on our request. So a lot of cricket fans, businessmen and other VIPs have expressed their interest in going to India for the series."


On the appointment of batting coach and captains:

"The committee that we have formed will advise us regarding the appointment of the batting coach. They will let us know when we should appoint the coach. As for captaincy, both the T20 and the ODI captains have been retained."


On Ata-ur-Rehman's appointment as the coach of FATA region:

"When came to us, we looked at his entire record - he has been cleared by the court. He also brought clearance (letter) from the ICC. When someone passes by the crime scene, he is also included amongst the suspects. His case was a similar one, but he wasn't involved in any wrongdoing. We have seen his documents and we respect the court's decision."

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