LAHORE: Terming the coming tour of Bangladesh cricket team to Pakistan "a historic moment in Pakistan cricket" Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board,Chaudhry Zaka Asrhaf expressed the optimism to have similar international events in near future as well.
"We are fully committed for the cause of revival and return of international cricket in Pakistan and the visit of Bangladesh team is breaking the ice in this regard as a foreign team is visiting Pakistan after three years ",he said at a news conference here on Wednesday at National Cricket Academy.
He dismissed all the rumours and impressions being given that Bangladesh team may refuse to visit at the last moment.
"They have committed to visit us in the recent ICC meeting and President of Bangladesh Cricket Board has given firm assurances regarding the visit of his team and there is no truth that they will not be coming ",he said while answering a volley of questions when his attention was drawn to the Bangladesh media reports which stated that Bangladesh team will not be visiting Pakistan.
"Setting aside all such negative aspects I would say we are at the threshold of a historic moment as a foreign team is visiting Pakistan after a gap of three years after a attack on the bus of Sri Lankan team in March 2009",said the PCB Chief.
"Since then our cricket suffered a lot and our cricket stadiums wore a deserted look and spectators were deprived of high quality cricket action which damaged the cause of cricket in Pakistan ",he said.
Zaka Asrhaf said now the situation has changed what used to be in 2009 and things are returning to normalcy and it is quite safe to stage international cricket in Pakistan. "PCB is confident to host the Bangladesh team in successful manner to send a positive message to outer world that security situation is conducive for international cricket in Pakistan".
He said top security will be provided by the Punjab Government to the visiting team and strict security measures will be taken to hold the matches in a peaceful manner.
"The whole world will be looking at this that how we organise these matches, no matter Bangladesh team is playing just two games in Pakistan, our main concern is to portray a better image of the country ",he said.
PCB Chairman said the tour of Bangladesh team is very significance to determine Pakistan's prospects for holding international cricket in future.
"It is a way forward to resume international cricket, it is a ray of hope and after hosting Bangladesh we can build on its success to organise our premier league with foreign players playing in it ",he said adding " After that then a stage will come when foreign teams will be at ease to visit Pakistan and they will be coming to Pakistan without any fear or concern in their mind ".
He expressed his gratitude to the Government specially, President, Asif Ali Zardari for advocating the cause of cricket to his Indian counterpart during his recent visit.
"We want to play India on bilateral basis, not on unilateral basis because we used to play each other on a similar pattern in the past ",he said.
He rejected a question that PCB has not taken Punjab Government on board regarding the tour of Bangladesh team.'
"We have written letters to the high ups of the Punjab Government and we are confident that it will make elaborate security arrangements for holding the matches for achieving a collective cause of resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.