Offshore series will be harmful for Pakistan cricket, Former ICC President Ehsan Mani tells VOA.
Karachi , 25 September : Former ICC President Ehsan Mani has strongly opposed the idea of Pakistan playing its home series at offshore or neutral venues.
While talking to Voice of America (VOA)in an exclusive interview from London, Mani said,” I am completely opposed to this proposal as the main object is to have cricket in Pakistan. By offshore series Pakistan can perhaps get the TV rights money but there will be no crowds and sponsorships”.
Mani went on to say that,” If there was no cricket played in Pakistan, it will be loss to cricket, loss of Pakistan cricket in the longer run”.
Recently, Chief Operating officer of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)Shahfqat Naghmi was quoted as saying “if West Indies did not want to come to Pakistan for a proposed two test series, it can be played in Abu Dhabi”. To add spice to that, former Australian captain Greg Chappell has been quoted advising Pakistan to play its home series at neutral venues like Dubai and Abu Dhabi to avoid isolation in wake of the security situation in Pakistan”.
“Indian and Sri Lankan players’ lives were of no lesser value than the Australian and English players yet they played Asia cup in Pakistan in very relaxed manner as admitted by the Indian players themselves. Non Asian players will get the same security that were given to Asian teams so this is no justification. Pakistan will have to draw a tougher line otherwise there will be draught of cricket in Pakistan”, Mani concluded.
Karachi , 25 September : Former ICC President Ehsan Mani has strongly opposed the idea of Pakistan playing its home series at offshore or neutral venues.
While talking to Voice of America (VOA)in an exclusive interview from London, Mani said,” I am completely opposed to this proposal as the main object is to have cricket in Pakistan. By offshore series Pakistan can perhaps get the TV rights money but there will be no crowds and sponsorships”.
Mani went on to say that,” If there was no cricket played in Pakistan, it will be loss to cricket, loss of Pakistan cricket in the longer run”.
Recently, Chief Operating officer of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)Shahfqat Naghmi was quoted as saying “if West Indies did not want to come to Pakistan for a proposed two test series, it can be played in Abu Dhabi”. To add spice to that, former Australian captain Greg Chappell has been quoted advising Pakistan to play its home series at neutral venues like Dubai and Abu Dhabi to avoid isolation in wake of the security situation in Pakistan”.
“Indian and Sri Lankan players’ lives were of no lesser value than the Australian and English players yet they played Asia cup in Pakistan in very relaxed manner as admitted by the Indian players themselves. Non Asian players will get the same security that were given to Asian teams so this is no justification. Pakistan will have to draw a tougher line otherwise there will be draught of cricket in Pakistan”, Mani concluded.
Comments