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By PakPassion Staff (November 8, 2012)
Speaking with the media at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said the Pakistan team will visit India with a message of peace.
"Peace and Friendship is in the interest of both countries. We are not concerned about Bal Thackery or any types of threats - his influence is only in Mumbai and we are not playing there. Our message for Thackeray is of peace. The team will travel to India as per agreed schedule and we are assured of the security to be provided by Indian government which is based upon their pledge. The team will play a series in India after a duration of 5 years which is a source of great satisfaction for both countries"
Regarding the return of International cricket to Pakistan, Zaka Ashraf stated that "International cricket will resume very soon in Pakistan". In reference to the decision by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to send their team to Pakistan he further added that "Bangladesh will be invited to tour Pakistan at a suitable time and we are thankful to Bangladesh for assurance of their visit. In addition, two other international teams have also agreed on touring Pakistan but their names will be made public later as a premature announcement could put that tour in jeopardy."
"Peace and Friendship is in the interest of both countries. We are not concerned about Bal Thackery or any types of threats - his influence is only in Mumbai and we are not playing there. Our message for Thackeray is of peace. The team will travel to India as per agreed schedule and we are assured of the security to be provided by Indian government which is based upon their pledge. The team will play a series in India after a duration of 5 years which is a source of great satisfaction for both countries"
Regarding the return of International cricket to Pakistan, Zaka Ashraf stated that "International cricket will resume very soon in Pakistan". In reference to the decision by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to send their team to Pakistan he further added that "Bangladesh will be invited to tour Pakistan at a suitable time and we are thankful to Bangladesh for assurance of their visit. In addition, two other international teams have also agreed on touring Pakistan but their names will be made public later as a premature announcement could put that tour in jeopardy."
Responding to questions on the advent of the Pakistan Premier League (PPL), the PCB Chairman stated that "PPL will take place in March and famous international cricketers will be part of it. We believe that the Pakistani team will greatly improve in a year's time although I am also satisfied with its current performance."
Regarding Zaheer Abbas' application as the batting coach, Ashraf stated the he has read about his application as well, but he cannot comment on this as this decision will be taken by the committee which has been constituted to make this decision.
In related news, Pakistan T20 Captain Mohammad Hafeez has stated in an interview with the press that "Pakistani team will go to India without any fear and that if Bangladesh team does visit Pakistan, then no force on earth can stop the resumption of international tours to Pakistan by other countries."
Speaking specifically about the tour of India and the related concerns about security, Hafeez stated that "In cricketing terms, the tour of India will be a tough one and we need to learn from our past mistakes - there will be little room for errors. In the past people have made threats against us but we have been assured of foolproof security"
The Pakistani team is scheduled to play 3 One-day Internationals (ODIs) and two T20 matches, between 25th December 2012 and 07th January 2013.