PCB welcomes BCCI decision for hosting Pakistani Team

Lahore: Soon after the announcement of the Pakistan tour to India by BCCI an urgent meeting of Executive Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan Cricket Board was called at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. Chairman PCB, Ch. Zaka Ashraf presided the meeting.

The ECC welcomed the formal announcement by BCCI to host the Pakistan team in December-January for 3 ODIs and 2 T20s in India. The members hoped that this tour will bring both the cricketing nations closer and will play an important role in strengthening the future relations between both the countries.

The ECC appreciated the tireless efforts made by PCB Chairman, Ch. Zaka Ashraf, for making this tour a reality as the bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan remained suspended for five years and since 2007 no bilateral series was played between the two countries.

The ECC also paid tribute to the President of Pakistan H.E. Asif Ali Zardari who is also the Patron of Pakistan Cricket Board for the staunch support that he provided being a great statesman. The committee acknowledged that for realization of this tour, after board-to-board understanding, an NOC from India government was required. The Honorable President played a key role in this regard.
The ECC also acknowledged the role of Foreign Secretary of Pakistan who raised this issue with his Indian counterpart in Secretary level meetings between the two countries.

The ECC also decided to assign tasks to make necessary preparations for the tour. The National Selection Committee is given the task to finalize the team for the tour while an advance party will visit India before the tour to oversee the tour arrangements.