Daily Times

LAHORE: Giles Clarke, the head of the International Cricket Council’s Special Task Force on Pakistan cricket, is hopeful that international cricket will return soon to the country. Giles, who is on a two-day tour to Pakistan, is visiting the country to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in boosting their finances in the absence of international matches. Addressing the national media at Gaddafi Stadium here Saturday, Clarke said that he could understand the feelings of the Pakistani people who were passionate about cricket but had not been able to see overseas teams play in the country since 2009. “I feel sad and can understand how the Pakistani people feel. But I am also hopeful that with the security situation in Pakistan improving, the day is not far off when the Pakistani people will be able to see their team play against overseas sides at home,” Clarke added. Also present on the occasion were PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi.

Also, in his address to the media, he passed a tongue-in-cheek comment to all the young reporters sitting in front of him. “It’s been a pleasure to come again to Lahore. I first came to Lahore in 1973, which, taking a look at the front row here, is before some of you were born,” he said. The former head of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), who also met with the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other government officials, said that his meeting had been very productive. “Pakistan is an important member of the ICC and we want to see international cricket in the country. We are doing whatever we can towards this direction,” said Clarke.

Stating that Pakistan cricket had been through a tough time because of the security concerns, Clarke appreciated PCB’s efforts to convince the cricket world it was safe to play in the country. Giles, who was given a demonstration of the security arrangements that the PCB has planned with the Punjab government for overseas players and teams, also visited the National Cricket Academy. No international team has visited Pakistan since 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, an incident in which six Pakistani policemen were killed and a umpire and a player got wounded. Clarke also clarified the reason for his visit by saying that all full members of the ICC understood Pakistan’s frustration and wanted to do something about it.

“I am on a fact-finding mission. I’ve been asked to come here by the ICC board and by the ICC chairman. I am accompanied by ICC’s security advisors. The ICC cares deeply about its full members; they are the life blood of the organisation,” he explained. The 63-year-old said his team were briefed about the current safety and security measures taken by authorities in Lahore for international teams’ visit. “We’ve seen a series of presentations on security.

We’ve been able to see very significant work that has been invested in, and invested very wisely in how safety and security will be made possible for visiting international cricket teams and also for the ordinary Pakistani public – who I am sure have no desire to find themselves in a ghastly terrorist incident,” he said. However, he warned that one bad incident could push Pakistan back to square one. “As we move forward to seeing what can be done, one has to note a little caution in that we all know that one terrible incident can push things backwards again. So, we are hoping to move forward constructively.” He thanked Shaharyar and Sethi for their work on trying to bring cricket back to Pakistan. “I am very grateful to my friends Shaharyar and Sethi for all the hard work they’ve put in. I’ve been very impressed with all the work that has been done to make Lahore a safe city for its citizens, for visitors and for international cricket teams.” Clarke concluded by saying that Pakistan needed to change a lot of perception before international cricket can fully return to the country. “This is not an easy road; we should not assume that it is going to be simple. There is a considerable amount of perception that needs to be changed and there is considerable amount of information that needs to be shared but I am most grateful to authorities in Pakistan for their efforts,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, PCB chief Shahayar said the board was working on its plan to have the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore in March as well try to convince the West Indies team to play a few T20 matches as well. He said the PCB officials had been in touch with the Federation of International Cricket Players Association and would try to meet them in person to give them a realistic briefing on the security situation in Pakistan.