Read quotes from press briefing by Ex CE of ICC Mr. Haroon Lorgat and Mr. Zaka Ashraf where they speak about the PPL and resumption of International cricket in Pakistan.

The following are quotes from remarks made by Mr. Haroon Lorgat and Mr. Zaka Ashraf on conclusion of Mr. Lorgat's visit to the PCB Offices in Lahore.

Mr. Zaka Ashraf opening remarks:

I think it’s a great day for Pakistan cricket that Haroon Lorgat is here former CE of ICC and a great friend of Pakistan and always has been supportive of survival of International cricket in Pakistan and has taken number of steps to support international cricket coming back to Pakistan. 

Mr. Lorgats remarks to the press at the PCB HQ.

A long time back I had always promised that I would come back to Pakistan. I had no fear coming to Pakistan – I had always enjoyed coming here. It was fortunate we have been able to get the diaries correct as I was on my way to Sri Lanka, I was very happy to pass through Lahore today. So it’s a very good day for me to be sitting in PCB offices today. There were occasions when we were sitting on opposite sides but more often than not, we have been on the same page. I have always said that even during my tenure as ICC Chief Executive that it’s absolutely important for member countries to be strong. They must run themselves well and be financially stable. They must have performance on the playing front at the highest possible level. 

The Boards must develop their administration, their players and the commercial aspects of the game – all of that is essential for member boards to have in a proper and good manner. I am happy at any stage as I am with the Sri Lankan cricket at the moment to help member boards. I am grateful that the chairman has invited me. I have offered what I can – I am not a complete expert so I can only add the value that I can and I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity. I hope the PCB does benefit from me passing through the offices in Lahore today. 

I have always had a good relationship with the media in Pakistan. I think media have appreciated those bad days that we have had to face. – but I say it again as I said it then - we have to tackle the bad and we have to enjoy the good. So today’s a good day and I hope we enjoy good relations in te future as well.

On the proposed league (PPL), it is early days – there are discussions that are moving at a pace because the PCB is determined to have during the course of early next year. There isn’t a long time from now to then so there is a lot of planning and details and there is a lot of work to be done. However, I can see from those who sat with me this afternoon that there is a lot of energy and determination and there is a lot of will to get this league off the ground. I wish the PCB success in that respect. Cricket is a growing sport. Professional leagues are the way certainly that T20 cricket has taken as its route and I am pleased to see the progress that PCB have made in this regard.

I feel pretty confident that a lot of i’s are being dotted and a lot of t’s being crossed – a lot of detail is being attended to and there are a lot of people here have their heads pointed in the right direction

On Mr. Lorgats assistance in ensuring that International cricketers come to play in Pakistan in PPL as well as the retrun of International cricket to Pakistan.

At this stage, it[my assistance] is at the strategic level – at the level that detail is being attended to, that the concepts are correct with my experience in dealing with various broadcasters and sponsors and in setting up models both financial and operational - the kind of vision and kind of objective - it is at that kind of level that I am contributing at the moment. I think it appears that there is already interaction with member boards by some of the [PCB] committee members and I think they have done a lot of work to date already.

On how T20 based PPL League will help Pakistani cricket

I think that perhaps there are 2 fronts to that. One is that T20 is certainly an attraction – lots of new audiences are gained by that – lots of new players are coming to the fore. We have seen how the shorter format has taken root. I can recall a few years back when even the players didn’t consider this to be a serious format of the game. So I think on the one end, you can’t be left out. You have got to have a league of the highest professional standard in the T20 format. On the second format, there are commercial opportunities and I think the PCB will look to exploit those commercial opportunities.

On how the PPL will help in revival of international cricket in Pakistan

I think it will be a very good stepping stone. If international players come into the leagues to play in their personal capacities they will encourage the growth of confidence in holding cricket in Pakistan. If many of them come along and experience for themselves that cricket is played and it can be played in a secure venue then there is no reason why they cannot convince their member boards to tour as national teams

On his advice to PCB on what actions to take to convince international teams to tour Pakistan – especially Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Well there isn’t much more I can tell the PCB chairman as he has been doing a lot of work andf a good job in speaking to the member boards to come and tour Pakistan. They [Bangladesh] have indicated a commitment to come to Pakistan and I am sure they are working on that. You also do a lot of little things to grow the confidence of others and by doing those little things right you begin to get those interested in coming as national teams. I think this league will go a long way towards securing the confidence of others that cricket can be played in Pakistan.

Remarks by Mr. Zaka Ashraf on role that ICC and Mr. Lorgat have played in supporting Pakistani cricket

We have invited Mr. Haroon Lorgat as our guest to Pakistan and we have discussed different options of our league cricket and he has given us valuable suggestions and input and we will work on that and we haven’t decided on any special responsibilities for him as he is already engaged with Sri Lanka.

As for any suggestion that Mr Lorgat never sided with us when he was in ICC or the ICC has never helped us - this is not correct. When Bangladesh were coming to Pakistan and we had problems with getting umpires they agreed to local umpires and referees so that the matches could go on and International cricket is revived in Pakistan and he has been a great supporter for the revival of International cricket in Pakistan.

Haroon Lorgat on how well PCB have adopted the recommendations from the ICC for good governance etc

A good part is to see the rise of the team and the discipline that surrounds it. I haven’t looked at the details of the recommendations as to which have been implemented and which ones haven’t. It is upto PCB to adopt the recommendations that it deems fit – it was not an obligation. I believe if most of the recommendations are adopted it will be for the good of the PCB.

Discuss!