LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi sees international cricket returning back in Pakistan in just two year’s time.
“If we prepare our stadiums, we will be able to host matches with time,” Sethi was quoted as saying. “I believe international cricket will be fully restored in Pakistan within two years, at most.”Pakistan hosted a World XI last year before also welcoming Sri Lanka to their shores for a Twenty20 International.
With more matches in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) set to be held in the country, along with the final, which is scheduled to be played in Lahore, Sethi is optimistic that international cricket will return to Pakistan.
Speaking about Pakistan’s horrible One Day International (ODI) defeat against New Zealand, Sethi said it would take some time for the youngsters in the side to become ‘stars’. “The PSL has prepared us for T20s. Now we have to prepare for ODIs and Tests.”
Pakistan were recently whitewashed 5-0 during their ODI series in New Zealand. While they won the Twenty20 series that followed, Sethi acknowledged that a majority of the focus going forward will be on the 2019 World Cup.
Sethi said it would take some time for the youngsters in the side to become “stars”.“The PSL has prepared us for T20s. Now we have to prepare for ODIs and Tests,” he said. “That’s why we are building a young team. It takes time for young players to become stars. Now our focus in on the 2019 World Cup, and we are getting ready for it. You will see that the inconsistency will go away soon.”
With the 2018 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) right around the corner, Sethi is well aware of the spot-fixing scandal that sullied the tournament last year.He said some of the veteran players in the team no longer have the required reflexes needed for modern cricket. He admitted that the team tends to struggle in ODI cricket. “Now our focus is on the 2019 World Cup and we are getting ready for it.”
He assured that cricket in Pakistan would receive a huge boost due to the new talent being discovered at school and club-level cricket and in PSL.The chairman also expressed his hopes that after improving security situation in the country and successfully-hosting T20 matches in Lahore, the time is not far when Pakistan is able to host complete ODI and Test series.
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