Top security bosses of Karachi, including Corp Commander, DG Rangers Sindh and Commissioner Karachi, have given a green signal for holding international cricket matches in Karachi, a spokesman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Saturday. PCB Chairman Shaharyar Muhammad Khan, who is in the metropolis for the past three days, held extensive meetings.
After meeting with Corp Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar and Director General Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akbar Saturday, he held a meeting with Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui. Senior Manager National Stadium Arshad Khan was also present on the occasion.
During these meetings, all the officials assured the PCB Chairman that the highest level of security will be provided to all the visiting teams in Karachi. "My meetings with all the officials were encouraging and positive and I see some international teams will be playing matches in Karachi," Shaharyar Khan said. "It is our utmost desire to see international cricket returning to Karachi as soon as possible," PCB head remarked.
Officials told the PCB Chairman that the law and order and overall security situation has improved in the mega city. The PCB Chairman has expressed his keenness of holding international matches in Karachi after criticism from officials and cricket followers for not organising any match here during Zimbabwe team's short tour to Lahore.
Shaharhyar Khan has clarified on a few occasions that Zimbabwe refused to play in Karachi due to which matches were held in the Punjab capital. During a press conference three-days ago, Shaharyar Khan said that they were planning to invite ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers Hong Kong and Oman to play practice matches in Karachi ahead of competition schedule in India in March/April next year.
Pakistan will be hosting Bangladesh women cricketers in Karachi later this year. There has been no official international cricket in Karachi since 2009 after terrorists attacked Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. Former KCCA President and Member PCB Governing Board, late Dr Muhammad Ali Shah invited an International XI which played a couple of T20 games against Pakistan Star XI. Former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya led the international and both matches attracted massive crowd at the National Stadium - Pakistan's premier Test centre.
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