Pakistan is destined to host two World Test Championship matches after a lapse of ten long years. The PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani and Managing Director Wasim Khan deserve full credit and applaud for their consistent and painstaking efforts to negotiate with their counterparts and convince them to send their teams to Pakistan.
“The Test series schedule was confirmed today after Cricket Sri Lanka gave their thumbs-up to fulfill their Future Tours Program commitment following a highly successful visit for white-ball cricket” one can feel the pleasure in the contents of PCB press release that was issued on Thursday (today).
Two matches would be played in Rawalpindi (December 11-15) and Karachi (December 19-23). SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva said: “We are pleased to confirm our return visit to Pakistan as, based on our earlier visit, we are comfortable and convinced conditions are suitable and conducive for Test cricket”.
Without any hesitation, the new management deserves our appreciation for realizing us a huge difference between their working and the previous management. In recent years we haven’t observed both Subhan Ahmad, the annoyed incumbent Chief Operating Officer, and talkative Najam Sethi making any effort on this very important issue – resumption of Test cricket in Pakistan. They kept an amazing silence.
They were selfish to the core of their heart that they were only interested in Pakistan playing its home series in UAE which would give them a luxury stay in Five Star Hotels, free air tickets and lucrative Daily Allowances.
Subhan was an incompetent official who was not only weak in communications but had no clue of the importance of playing Pakistan’s home series on its soil. In the ICC meetings he would make personal contacts with officials of the cricket governing body. Be it Michael Speed, Haroon Lorgat or Clive Lloyd.
After British born Wasim Khan taking over the role of Iron Man, we did observe consistent efforts made at the top level which convinced foreign teams to play in Pakistan. Sri Lankans have confirmed. Home series with Bangladesh and South Africa are also on cards. Good luck to Pakistan and PCB!