National cricket team: Punjab chief minister presents Rs 0.5 million cheque to each player

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that despite heavy odds, Pakistani cricket team displayed an outstanding performance in the World Cup by defeating leading cricket teams. He said that the entire cricket team, its management and coach deserve rich appreciation for their achievement.
He was addressing a reception held in the honour of national cricket team at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here on Tuesday. The chief minister gave away cheques of five hundred thousand rupees to each player of national cricket team. He also gave away prizes among the players, team administration and board officials. Shahbaz said that the aim of holding an impressive ceremony in the honour of national cricket team was to encourage the players who had earned a good name for the country. He said that cricket players deserve maximum encouragement for achieving greater success.
He said that national cricket team reached the semi-final by dint of its hard work and commitment and stroke hard for keeping the national flag high. He said that victory and defeat are part of game and the defeat in the semi-final should be taken with the same spirit. The chief minister also congratulated the nation for according a warm welcome to the team despite its defeat in the semi-final, which not only encouraged the players but also buried the tradition of turning national heroes into zeroes after defeat. He observed that due to law and order situation in the country, foreign teams were reluctant to visit Pakistan besides allegations are also levelled against Pakistani players in the past but despite all this, national cricket team did not lose courage and put up a spirited performance.
Shahbaz recalled that during the semi-final, he telephoned the captain of national cricket team Shahid Afridi urging him to do his best as the whole nation is praying for the success of cricket team. He said that when he announced 25 acres of fertile land to each player if they won the semi final, he was unduly criticised but as the members of the national team are ambassadors of the country, he has no qualms. He said that Pakistan has a marvellous cricket history and he is confident that it will further improve its performance and defeat India on their soil.
Captain of national cricket team Shahid Afridi said that he is very thankful to Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for encouragement of the cricket team by receiving the cricket team at airport as well as arranging a reception in its honour. He said that in spite of defeat, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif set a new tradition by encouraging the team.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt said he is thankful to the chief minister and his cabinet for honouring the national cricket team. He also announced rupees five lakh (0.5 million) for each player on behalf of Pakistan Cricket Board. Manager National Cricket Team, Intikhab Alam also thanked the chief minister for the encouragement to national cricket team.