Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf speaking exclusively with PakPassion.net stated that the recent Asia Cup win for Pakistan in Bangladesh was an extremely pleasing win for all stakeholders of Pakistan cricket.

“It was a very pleasing win for everyone involved in Pakistan cricket, but at the same time it was an extremely tense victory. The crowd in Dhaka appeared charged up and really pumped up for the occasion. There was so much pressure on the Pakistan team as a result of the crowd. Even in the boxes the atmosphere was electric and the crowd made the final a fantastic and memorable occasion.”

Ashraf who took over the role of Chairman last October from previous incumbent Ijaz Butt, praised the efforts of the Bangladesh team and stated that they had impressed him greatly and were an improving cricket team.

“Full credit to the Bangladesh cricket team, they have improved tremendously and fought really hard throughout the tournament. They pushed Pakistan right to the limit in both matches they played at the Asia Cup and they should be very proud of themselves.”

Responding to a question about the Pakistan team’s performance at the Asia Cup Ashraf stated “Pakistan could have won the encounter against India if they had not made one or two mistakes. The plans for the team were outlined, but unfortunately some individuals did not follow the game plan that was given to them by the coaching staff.”

Ashraf also feels that the Pakistan team is immensely talented and now with the right coaching staff in place, they can take the team to new heights and improve further.

“There is so much talent in the Pakistan cricket team at the moment. They just need to be organised a little better in future and once that happens we will see a vast improvement in their performances in the coming months. We have big plans and that is why we have appointed professional coaches in Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain to take the team forward and to implement our plans.”

Ashraf and his Pakistan Cricket Board colleagues have been very keen to see the return of international cricket to Pakistan but up until now, the attempts have not been successful. Last month, a Bangladeshi delegation visited Pakistan to assess the security situation, led by the Chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Mustafa Kamal, with some positive comments being made by both sides.

However it seems now that the tour will not go ahead as planned, as the Bangladeshi government is refusing the team permission to tour Pakistan. Ashraf though refused to confirm that the tour had been cancelled and added “We are waiting for a decision from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. There was an understanding between the two cricket boards that the BCB will help the Pakistan Cricket Board with the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. They sent a security team to Pakistan to seek assurance and gain some confidence regarding the levels of security that will be given to the Bangladesh touring party. The security agencies in Pakistan provided the visitors from Bangladesh a full dress rehearsal of the security arrangements and the delegation from Bangladesh was very satisfied with what they saw.”

“The provincial government and the federal government all participated in the fully fledged dress rehearsals which included helicopters, snipers and elite force commandos, as it is our utmost responsibility and aim that what occurred in Lahore during the tour by Sri Lanka in March 2009 should never happen again. I think the delegation from Bangladesh was very satisfied when they left Pakistan.”

Ashraf added “The delegation from the BCB has submitted a report to their Government and the Bangladeshi Government will take the final decision on the tour of Pakistan. When a decision like this is referred to the Government then a number of other factors come into play and it seems that there are pressures from elsewhere on the Bangladesh Government too. I’m still hopeful though that the tour will take place.”

Ashraf recently met with banned teenage pace bowler Mohammad Amir with a view to outlining plans for his rehabilitation and spoke to PakPassion.net of his meeting with Amir and how he felt the 5 year ban imposed on Amir was harsh.

“Amir was very apologetic at the meeting we had with him and spoke of how he was trapped into spot fixing. He is such a wonderful young talent that has been wasted and it’s such a shame that he cannot even use our practise facilities. Coming from such a remote village Amir could have become the best bowler in the world. He has served his prison sentence and that matter is now closed, but the issue of the ICC ban is obviously still ongoing.”

“I think the 5 year ban is too harsh and it is down to Amir if he wishes to appeal against that lengthy ban imposed upon him. I would suggest that he does appeal against the ban and I think the relevant body should take a lenient view given his age and the talent he possesses. We should not let this young boy’s career be ruined, we should all try to help him and understand that he was trapped into getting involved in spot fixing.”

Ashraf further added that the Pakistan Cricket Board had outlined plans for Amir’s rehabilitation which included expert consultation to address his mental frailties and to undertake psychiatric treatment. The 19 year old will deliver lectures to other cricketers in Pakistan on his own experiences.

“First and foremost we are going to arrange for some psychiatric treatment for Amir which I feel is absolutely essential. Then he is going to give lectures to other cricketers in Pakistan on his own experiences and explain to other cricketers to not get trapped like he was. It will be a series of talks that he gives, delivering guidelines to other cricketers. He (Amir) can explain first hand to our cricketers to avoid such people who look to trap cricketers and provide the cricketers with first hand experience on such matters.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board has recently advertised for a bowling coach after Aaqib Javed’s resignation from the position and Ashraf stated that he was keen to appoint another professional coach who can help Pakistan produce the best bowlers.

“The committee is handling the appointment of the bowling coach. We have experts on that committee who will be dealing with that matter. I don’t involve myself in their day to day work, but just ensure that they are doing their job properly. My personal preference is to appoint the best person for the job, irrespective of whether that individual is from Pakistan or outside of Pakistan. We want whoever is appointed to the role to be a professional coach and help us in produce the best bowlers and to give those bowlers the best techniques.”

Upon Shahid Afridi’s return to Pakistan yesterday, he was involved in an altercation with some fans at Karachi Airport, where he punched one fan and threatened to slap another fan. Ashraf though played down the incident and said it was a personal matter for Afridi and that the PCB would not be taking any further action.

“It was an emotional situation and from what I have heard in the chaos that ensued, Shahid’s daughter was pushed and fell to the ground. Shahid became emotional but it’s not a big issue. I think it’s a personal matter for Shahid and it was purely down to the rush of emotions by all concerned at the airport and it does not need to be taken too seriously. The issue seems to be a sensitive one and looks to have been resolved at the airport.”