ID :
30279
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 18:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/30279
The shortlink copeid
Butt ready to travel to India to ease BCCI`s security concerns
Karachi, Nov 14 (PTI) Desperate to host Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men next year, Pakistan Cricket Board (P.C.B.) chairman Ejaz Butt says he is willing to travel to India to ease the security concerns of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (B.C.C.I.) and the Indian government.
Butt insisted that the P.C.B. has no plans to shift the series to a neutral venue as of now and such an option would be considered only in "extreme circumstances".
"We are not even thinking about having the series anywhere else except Pakistan. Playing at some neutral venue is an extreme and last option," P.C.B. chairman Ejaz Butt said from Abu Dhabi where Pakistan is playing a one-day series against West Indies.
"If need arises I will even travel to India to personally
talk to the Indian board and government and convince them it
is absolutely imperative for them to undertake the scheduled
tour," he added.
India are scheduled to tour Pakistan in January and
February to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and
a twenty20 game.
P.C.B. C.E.O. Saleem Altaf had Thursday stated that
neutral venue was an option in case of security fears but Butt
said the P.C.B. will use all diplomatic channels to convince
the Indians to tour Pakistan.
"If we start playing our home series at neutral venues
then cricket in Pakistan will not survive and die. So agreeing
to relocation of our home series against India would be our
last resort," he added.
Butt revealed that the board will get in touch with the
Pakistan government and ask for help to make the tour
possible.
"There are security issues but remember India has been to
Pakistan thrice in the last four years and played without any
problems," Butt said.
"For us the Indian tour is very very important because if
they don't come as scheduled then it means we risk losing the
right to host the Sri Lankans, Australia and the Champions
Trophy all slated for next year," he added.
The P.C.B. chief admitted getting invites from England
and United Arab Emitrates (U.A.E.) to host the series if
Indian security concerns make it impossible to organise it
here.
"Yes we have got offers from England and U.A.E. to host
the series and that is an option with us but only in extreme
circumstances," he said.
"India has always been very supportive of Pakistan
cricket and even in recent months when other countries
didn't’t want the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan they
were the ones who stood by us," Butt said.
He said the P.C.B., in conjunction with government
agencies, will ensure state level security for the Indians.
"The tour is a matter of great importance for us it will
have a big impact on the future of Pakistan cricket," he said.
PTI
Butt insisted that the P.C.B. has no plans to shift the series to a neutral venue as of now and such an option would be considered only in "extreme circumstances".
"We are not even thinking about having the series anywhere else except Pakistan. Playing at some neutral venue is an extreme and last option," P.C.B. chairman Ejaz Butt said from Abu Dhabi where Pakistan is playing a one-day series against West Indies.
"If need arises I will even travel to India to personally
talk to the Indian board and government and convince them it
is absolutely imperative for them to undertake the scheduled
tour," he added.
India are scheduled to tour Pakistan in January and
February to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and
a twenty20 game.
P.C.B. C.E.O. Saleem Altaf had Thursday stated that
neutral venue was an option in case of security fears but Butt
said the P.C.B. will use all diplomatic channels to convince
the Indians to tour Pakistan.
"If we start playing our home series at neutral venues
then cricket in Pakistan will not survive and die. So agreeing
to relocation of our home series against India would be our
last resort," he added.
Butt revealed that the board will get in touch with the
Pakistan government and ask for help to make the tour
possible.
"There are security issues but remember India has been to
Pakistan thrice in the last four years and played without any
problems," Butt said.
"For us the Indian tour is very very important because if
they don't come as scheduled then it means we risk losing the
right to host the Sri Lankans, Australia and the Champions
Trophy all slated for next year," he added.
The P.C.B. chief admitted getting invites from England
and United Arab Emitrates (U.A.E.) to host the series if
Indian security concerns make it impossible to organise it
here.
"Yes we have got offers from England and U.A.E. to host
the series and that is an option with us but only in extreme
circumstances," he said.
"India has always been very supportive of Pakistan
cricket and even in recent months when other countries
didn't’t want the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan they
were the ones who stood by us," Butt said.
He said the P.C.B., in conjunction with government
agencies, will ensure state level security for the Indians.
"The tour is a matter of great importance for us it will
have a big impact on the future of Pakistan cricket," he said.
PTI
