PCB hope for Pakistani players' participation in IPL 8

Bangalore: Newly-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Shaharyar Khan, wants cricketing “powerhouse” India to encourage “democracy” in the functioning of the ICC after being forced to let BCCI have the control of the governing body along with England and Australia.

PCB was the last of the ICC members to give its consent to the ICC revamp after it was decided that the cricket-starved nation will be able to play against the full members in a bilateral series including one against arch-rivals India.

“Well, we have already agreed on playing each other [India and Pakistan] regularly from next year. We were the last ones to accept the ICC revamp formula and that is how it is. India deserves to have a special status in the current scenario and I hope they look after the interest of Pakistan cricket,” Shaharyar said.

The man, who played a vital role in turning India’s historic tour of Pakistan in 2004 into a reality, wishes that PCB could host its neighbour in his tenure. “Most in the cricketing world believe India-Pakistan series is even bigger than the Ashes and therefore it should happen frequently. Unfortunately, the security issue remains a problem in Pakistan and as of now, we can only think of hosting them at a neutral venue like UAE,” said the Bhopal-born Pakistani referring to the first of the eight bilateral series scheduled to take place in December, 2015.

He also hopes that the BCCI will allow Pakistan’s players in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The cricketers from across the border have been unable to take part in the IPL barring the first edition in 2008.

“I will be talking to the BCCI bosses about all issues concerning Indo-Pak cricket at the next ICC meeting in October. I am planning to visit India soon to carry on the discussion regarding these matters. “The Pakistani players unfortunately could not play because of security reasons. I really want to see them play in the IPL next year.” Shaharyar is back at the helm after eight years and his biggest challenge is to get the game in Pakistan out of doldrums.