SUNDAY: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive David Richardson has said that Pakistan is out of its most risky stage, which is the reason international teams will visit Pakistan sooner rather than later.
The ICC Chief addressed media in a press conference at the National Stadium in Karachi.
“The PSL season 8 remaining 8 matches which were played in Karachi was a positive step. Cricket is slowly returning to the country.
India is a signatory to ICC agreements. They are bound to play Pakistan as per schedule in world cup 2019”
said Richardson and also quoted:
“Bilateral series however depend upon the two boards.”
On the raised question about India not playing Pakistan in the World Cup, Richardson clarified that all nations in the mega occasion are signatories of an assention which ties them to play against one another. “If a team decides not to play a particular team, the other team gets those points.
There was a time when Pakistan was considered as a dangerous country.
This was why players of international teams were reluctant in coming here”. Even in hard times Pakistani players played cricket and performed exceptionally well. The situation in the country is now changing, he said.
“A lot of effort has been made to bring back cricket in Pakistan. ICC stands with the PCB in all these matters.”
Richardson was also grateful to the PCB who invited him to the final and closing ceremony. He said that the PSL has proved that Pakistan is a safe country.
“We will continue working with the PCB. I would also like to thank the foreign players who came to Karachi. There is a perception that Pakistan is unsafe. PSL matches have proved this perception wrong,” he said. “In terms of security the ICC is performing its duties.”
Richardson said that the PCB should invite international teams and said that the ICC would help in this regard.
“It is our job to stay neutral. PCB firm intentions is to bring back cricket in Pakistan. he said.
“ICC will work along with pcb in reviving cricket in Pakistan.”
