Cricket bridge gap in third world countries: MCC chief

LAHORE—Chief of Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Robin Marlar Saturday said cricket can play a role of bridging the gape in third world countries including
Afghanistan. “I believe it is right time for the developed nations to come forward to extend help to those under developed countires where passion of cricket exists”, he told APP at Gadaffi stadium.
He said he is eager to promote cricket in Afghanistan to bridge gap created due to long war. “Cricket can bridge this gap and people can entertain themselves with this thrilling sport “. Robin said despite all adverse situations in the war-torn Afghanistan, cricket is continuing and
MCC wants to promote the game spirit to provide a chance to youth to participate in the healthy activities. “Cricket has so much fans in Afghanistan and through this sport we can develop the mind of youth for becoming a useful part of the society,” Robin added.
He said both Pakistan and India are providing assistance and cooperation not only to Afghanistan but also to Bangladesh as far promption of the cricket was concerned.
He lauded the efforts of both Pakistan and India for extending cricket ties for peace and harmony among countries.
Robin also lauded the efforts of Pakistan for providing everything to eight million Afghan refugees, who took refuge in Pakistan during war.
He said Pakistan has been playing helpful role now in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. “I am in regular touch with the Afghanistan Cricket Association and we are also supporting them to help revive the game”, he said adding “at a later stage we will be introducing cricket in Central Asian Countries and if we do it today we hope to yield productive results in 10-15 years”.
Robin, a former Sussex off spinner, who got 975wickets in first class cricket in his early 50’s, said MCC is lawmakers and guardian of the game but so far it did not work according to its status in developing the game at new venues.
About the super-sub rules (change of player), he said, it is on experimental basis and if it could not work properly it would be finished at the end. He added that with the introduction of new techniques in Cricket it is becoming faster and thrilling sport.s—Agencies