ACC can't revive cricket in Pakistan

Lahore: The chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Ashraful Huq of Bangladesh has made it clear that his organisation cannot help in reviving international cricket in Pakistan as it is the responsibility of the ICC.

"The ACC can't do anything to revive international cricket in Pakistan, this has to be done by the ICC (International Cricket Council)," he told the media after the ACC development committee meeting in Islamabad.

No Test playing nation has visited Pakistan since 2009 after militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore killing six Pakistani policemen and a van driver, and wounding several of the visiting players.

He also said that Ashraf had stressed that Pakistan and Indian cricket boards should promote the game in the region.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf, meanwhile said that his foremost priority is to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. He also urged all the member countries to help Pakistan in its cause.

"Our main task is to bring back international matches to our country as our people have been deprived of watching their team play at home," Ashraf, who heads the development committee, said.

Ashraf also told the media that the PCB had invited the member countries of the ACC to come and play in Pakistan.

"Any Asian country is most welcome to send its team to Pakistan and also use our training facilities. Afghanistan has made good use of our facilities and so has China," he said.

"We invite other Asian countries to also come take advantage of our offer," he added.

The sources informed that the members had assured their support to Pakistan.

He also said that Ashraf had stressed that Pakistan and Indian cricket boards should promote the game in the region.

The ACC development body noted the new membership applications from Tajikistan, Chinese Taipei and Cambodia and also recommended that Afghanistan be made an associate member of the ICC.

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