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Miki Kharo England
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in International Cricket, Pakistan Cricket
99 ViewsDid the ECB really need the Twenty20 World Cup to finally realise the commercial viability of hosting Pakistan games? Looks as though they did, but Stani Army is certainly glad the slap in the face has woke them up. If Giles Clarke and his sidekicks thought Stanford was a goer, why on earth did they take so long to spot something which quite clearly made sense? Maybe they like dodgy deals better.
A few months back, as the PCB began looking for venues to host their home games, it was becoming increasingly clear that England as a venue was not at the top of the PCB’s list, due to the costs of staying and playing here. Stani Army did suggest at the time that the ECB and PCB should go to all lengths and try to make it happen as it would be a guaranteed success for all parties due to the large Pakistani community in England.
The Twenty20 World Cup has since shown how Pakistan games in England would easily fill grounds and provide an electric atmosphere.
It is sad but understandable to some extent, why Pakistan will not be hosting games in Pakistan, yet Stani Army is glad that the games will be brought over here to England where the Test matches for one, will certainly be attended by more fans than they would have been back in Pakistan.
I’m not just saying that because I can now go and watch them, honestly.
Pakistan in England:
- Two Tests and two Twenty20 Internationals versus Australia, July 2010.
- Four Tests, five ODIs and two TwentyT20 Internationals in August and September, 2010.
Venues are yet to be confirmed but I strongly suggest Lords and the Oval (ahem).
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June 27th, 2009 at 3:49 am
It will be good for the fans back in Pakistan who can watch the Tests during the evenings. Hopefully the conditions will provide for some competitive cricket.
June 27th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Krish,
That’s a very good point. Hopefully the load shedding won’t impact on this. It will be interesting to see what the broadcasters do as Tests in England are contracted to BSkyB but the PCB has a contract with Ten Sports. Boxing has shown us that broadcaster disagreements can be enough to scupper a whole event. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:23 am
TJ
England has been dying to host Pakistan’s matches long before the world cup it was PCB which kept refusing the offers.
June 27th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Wasim,
This was because ECB wanted a too big a slice of the pie, coupled with the PCBs stinginess. It was said in the previous post that both parties needed to give a little more to make it happen. I believe they did this after seeing the World Cup atmosphere.
Both parties were culpable to an extent.