Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf while lauding the remarkable strides of the team in the Test series against England, said they are looking to take them to new heights. "Pakistan has to go to new heights. Our eyes are focused on 2015 World Cup", he told reporters at the National Stadium on Sunday while attending the Annual Sports Day of Nasra School. "We are looking towards the World Cup".
Prime Minister's Advisor on Education Shahnaz Wazir Ali and Director General PCB and former Pakistan Captain Javed Miandad were also present on the occasin.
Commenting on the reservations of some senior players on the appointment of Dav Whatmore as Pakistan chief coach, he said they are not holding any elections about it." We will do what is in the interest of Pakistan cricket and what is good for us we opt for that", he said.
Responding to a question about change in the coach despite Pakistan's winning combination, he said he had not taken any final decision on the appointment of the coach.
The committee which is headed by former Pakistan Captain Intikhab Alam, Zaheers Abbas and Colonel (Retd) Naushad Ali as its members have recommended the name of Dav Whatmore as the coach. "This committee has taken this decision. Not me. We are yet to take final decision", he commented. The PCB Chairman said everyone including players, coach, manager and even Aaqib Javed contributed in victories. "Credit of success should go to all", he added. On one-day series, Zaka Ashraf said it would be a good competition as both teams would enter the arena on Monday.
"Allah has given us pride and success and we are hoping for more", he said. However, he admitted that one-day cricket is a different ball game. " It will be a tough competition and I hope that Misbah-ul-Haq team will maintain their winning streak."
He said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had no reservations about Wahab Riaz so he was selected in the team. On the selection of Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria in the team, he said "This is a sensitive issue and I should not comment on it."
However, he said whoever had performed well for Pakistan was an asset for the country. On the selection of all-rounder Shoaib Malik, Zaka Ashraf said he was picked on the recommendation of captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
"Misbah is the captain and he thought that his spin bowling will benefit the team and that is why Malik was inducted in the team", he pointed out.
Zaka Ashraf expressed the confidence that international cricket would return to Pakistan shortly with Bangladesh team's visit. "Ice will break with Bangladesh team's visit and we are also working on plan two for inviting other countries.
He said Bangladesh's security delegation would be visiting Pakistan soon and Interior Minister Rehman Malik had already announced that the highest level security would be provided to them.
Replying to a question that the ICC would also be sending an independent security team for assessment, the PCB Chairman said they would have no objections.
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