PCB chief hopes tour will improve image

Shaharyar Khan: 'Let the best team win and people enjoy the intense competition in the series' © Getty Images

Shaharyar Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), says he hopes that the forthcoming Test and one-day series with England will improve his country's image - both on and off the field.

"I think the series against England is important for our safe image because England is the first side other than the subcontinental sides to play in Pakistan for five years," Khan told AFP. England were the last non-South Asian side to play in the troubled cities of Karachi and Peshawar in 2000 before the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States sparked security fears about Pakistan. "Tension was at the peak after 9/11 because no team was ready to tour Pakistan," he added. Khan has been a former foreign secretary and high commissioner [ambassador] to India and the United Kingdom.

Australia and the West Indies refused to tour Pakistan, citing players' safety concerns and the series were played at neutral venues in 2002. New Zealand, who postponed their tour of Pakistan a week after the 9/11 incidents, had to cut short their revised schedule after a bomb blast outside their team hotel in Karachi killed 14 people in May 2002. That followed South Africa and India's refusal to play a five-day Test in Karachi where bomb blasts and ethnic violence has killed scores of people in the last five years.

England, too, have refused to play a Test in Karachi over security fears and agreed to play only one limited-overs international in the southern port city on the current tour. "England had and still have security concerns but I think that, after providing them security assurances and taking good care of them, we hope our image will improve as a safe country," said Khan, who took over as cricket chief in December 2003.

Khan said India's tour of Pakistan last year was the first step in improving Pakistan's image. "I remember that the wives of Indian stars Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid did say that they would not like their hubbies to tour Pakistan over security fears." The PCB not only hosted India without any problems but earned a record 22 million dollars from the series, India's first in Pakistan for 14 years. "Now England will play a one-day match in Karachi and we are sure India will play a Test in Karachi," Khan said.

Khan also said Pakistan's team can improve its Test image. "England is on a roll after their Ashes win and if Pakistan beat them they too can get a place among the top teams. Let the best team win and people enjoy the intense competition in the series."

Pakistan and England clash in the first of three Tests at Multan, starting November 12. The Tests will be followed by a five-match one-day series.