Daily Times

Pakistan cricket championships

Sir: Pakistan has a lot of talent in cricket and the people of this nation love watching the sport. Unfortunately the full potential of this talent has not been achieved due to the limited availability of cricket playing events. The bad security has halted all international cricket matches in the country, while the shameful exclusion of Pakistani cricket players from the Indian Premier League has left our nation’s talented cricket players with only international and county matches to test their skills. With the takeover of India, the UK and Australia in the ICC, we will probably see even more exclusion of our players in ICC games in the near future. At this time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a cricket lover himself, can help champion new tournaments for our nation’s cricketing talent pool. He should start by sponsoring new international level cricket competitions that are played in the Middle East but managed by Pakistani cricket organisations. Events like this will help utilise the many sports stadiums in the Middle East, while generating tourism for host nations. Pakistanis will enjoy a yearly sports event, the government will generate new revenues, and our nation’s cricket talent pool will have new places to hone their talent and earn income. Why should our country wait for the ICC to organise sporting events? We are the sixth most populous nation in the world. We can create and manage dozens of teams, while still leaving people free to watch these teams play one another.

ENGR ZEESHAN BASEER KHAN

Peshawar