KARACHI: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should now think to reschedule their Pakistan tour.
While talking to ARY News after ECB’s chairman Ian Watmore stepped down, Qureshi said this resignation means Pakistan managed to register their stance in the world.
“ECB head’s resignation after all these happenings means we managed to register a strong stance in front of the world after they cancelled Pakistan tour,” FM Qureshi said.
“They should now think of rescheduling Pakistan tour as soon as possible. We gave foolproof security to both New Zealand and England. They should have talked to us before taking such a harsh decision,” he added.
The FM further recalled his meeting with his English counterpart Elizabeth Truss during which he raised the cricket series cancellation matter.
“I talked about this matter with my meeting with Truss. She said it wasn’t the government’s decision. She also assured to raise this matter in front of the ECB,” he concluded.
Karachi: Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding has heavily criticized England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the cancellation of the scheduled tour of Pakistan, saying it smacks of ‘western arrogance’.
England men and women were each due to play in October – but withdrew from the tour last month, citing players’ welfare reasons.
“What that signal sends to me is the same western arrogance,” said Holding while receiving Peter Smith Award.
“I will treat you how I feel like treating you – it doesn’t matter what you think, I will just do what I want.”
“Four days in Pakistan [was all they would have spent], I am absolutely sure they would not have done that to India.”
“You know why? Because India is rich and powerful. I am in total agreement with Mike Atherton and [cricket writer] George Dobell, who wrote articles condemning England and the ECB,” he added.
Holding reminded ECB about Pakistan’s last tour of England during COVID-19 peak.
“They were going for four days. Pakistan went to England [in 2020] before vaccines were available for six, seven weeks, something like that. They stayed, they played their cricket, they were in that bubble.”
“I was in that bubble and it wasn’t fantastic but it was better than going out into society, where we know Covid was and without any vaccinations available to anyone.”
“They stayed, they played, and honoured what England wanted them to honour, and now you have an opportunity to try and repay them to a small degree.”
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry announced that Pakistan Television (PTV) Sports will not telecast the upcoming Pakistan tour to England.
In a press conference here on Tuesday, Chaudhry said the Federal Cabinet had decided to avoid doing any sort of business with Indian companies. Hence, they rejected PTV’s request to sign a deal with an Indian broadcasting company that has the rights to telecast Pakistan vs England series in South Asia.
The federal minister said they will contact England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for possible solutions on this matter. It must be noted here that Pakistan is scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is against England in their backyard.
On the other hand, India also has the hosting rights of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which means telecast of the mega event in Pakistan is also in jeopardy. The multi-nation event is scheduled for October-November this year.
While reacting to this matter, cricket fans in the country criticized the government for this decision.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce Test, ODI, and T20I squads of the national for England and West Indies tour tomorrow.
The squad will be announced via press release at 10:45 am followed by chief selector Mohammad Wasim’s presser here at 12:30 pm.
Remember, the Pakistan team will depart for England on June 25, just after the final of PSL 6 on June 24. They will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against England from July 8.
Later on, the green shirts will travel to West Indies where they will play 5 T20Is and two Tests from July 27.