Team fully charged to face England, vows Shaharyar
Says India won’t shun cricket in Karachi

LAHORE—Chairman PCB Shaharyar Khan has said that despite England in top form against World Champions Australia, Pakistan will give them a tough time in home series.
In an interview, PCB Chairman Shaharyar said that the morale of the players and fitness is good. He said that the return of Umer Gull will further bolster the Pakistan team as he is bowling fine and looks in perfect rhythm.
Commenting on Shahid Afridi, he said Pakistan are looking for a permanent opener especially in test arena. Chief Selector Wasim Bari and Coach Bob Woolmer said that Pakistan will use a specialist opener who can stay and play a long innings against a formidable England bowling attack.
Pakistan are blessed with genuine all rounders in Shoaib Malik, Abdur Razaak, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal. While giving his views on Pakistan Captain, Inzammam, he said that he is maturing as a captain with each match and is an able and true leader.
He said that he is satisfied with performance of Bob Woolmer as Pakistan has won ten ODIs out of last 12 under him whereas fighting sprit of Pakistan team is greater than ever and their graph is shooting up with every series passing. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) got a shot in the arm when India’s Foreign Minister Natwar Singh expressed no reservations regarding India playing a Test match in Karachi early next year.
“It was not a formal but social gathering but I found out a little time to discuss cricket. I was told by Mr. Natwar that the Indian government has no reservations about India playing a Test in Karachi,” Shaharyar Khan told PTI from Islamabad. “I think it is a big development and although the official confirmation has to come from the BCCI, I am now quite certain that India would play in Karachi,” the PCB supremo said.
Shaharyar Khan has now played a decisive role on more than one occasion in convincing Indian decision-makers to play in Karachi. In 2004, Shaharyar convinced the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to allow his team to play the series opening one-dayer in the port city of Karachi that proved to be a high scoring fixture.
“Actually Mr. Natwar said the decision has to be taken by the BCCI regarding playing in Karachi. The government approval to BCCI was delayed due to the sad demise of Indian sports minister,” Shaharyar said. The Indian cricket team is expected to arrive in Lahore on Jan 2 and play a two-day warm-up match in Lahore on Jan 3-4 before the first Test starts in Karachi tentatively on Jan 7.—Online