PCB chief warns Bangladesh over tour; 'positive' on India ties

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf said Tuesday that he is still optimistic about tour of Bangladesh cricket team to Pakistan saying "decision in this regard is expected on last ball." Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, head of Pakistan's cricket board, however, warned sporting ties with Bangladesh could be threatened if Dhaka refuses an invitation to tour the troubled country.
PCB has invited Bangladesh to play a limited-overs series this month, but the tour is subject to clearance from the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Zaka Ashraf said he was hopeful Bangladesh would come, but he warned them of consequences if they refused. "I think we will have to reconsider our relationship with Bangladesh if they don't tour us, but I hope such a situation will not come," said Zaka.
Bangladesh sent a delegation to Pakistan last month to assess the security situation after the Pakistani government gave safety assurances. Pakistan's cricket chief said he was "positive" about reviving stalled cricket ties with India, following President Asif Ali Zardari's weekend trip to New Delhi.
"We are quite positive about the revival of cricketing ties with India after our president took the initiative," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf told reporters after a PCB meeting. "It was a good move to invite the Indian premier to Pakistan and I am sure that it will help in moving forward."
Earlier, addressing the meeting of general council of PCB, Zaka Ashraf sought co-operation of former heads of PCB for the revival of international cricket. He said they are making sincere efforts for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. He said the government had assured foolproof security to Bangladesh cricket team. Former PCB Chairman Sheharyar Khan said on the occasion that Pakistan should respond proactively and undertake tour of India first. He said the PCB should adopt joint strategy for revival of democratic process in the boards as per ICC's ruling.
Former PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said that BCCI Chairman is main hurdle in the restoration of Pak-India cricket matches. Chief Operating Officer of PCB‚ Subhan Ahmad presented six-month performance report of the board. Later, Subhan Ahmad told reporters that PCB is serious to organize Pakistan Premier League (PPL) competition which can be held in the last quarter of this year. He said that PCB wanted to promote domestic cricket so as to improve its standard.
PCB Director for International Cricket‚ Intikhab Alam said that five national as well as foreign companies have shown interest regarding the organising of PPL. He said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has called their representatives next week for giving presentation.