Pak has fair chance to win U-19 world Cup: Dr Nasim
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Nasim Ashraf appreciated the performance of Pak U19 for beating Australia in the quarter finals of the Junior World Cup and said it has fair chance to retain the title. “The young guns have an account of themselves by defeating a tough opponent Australia in Malaysia and the way they are playing the mega event they have a good chance to do a hat-trick of title victories “,he told APP here on Monday.
He congratulated the team members and the management for their 6-wicket success against Australia and wished them good luck in coming matches. “Well done boys, keep the good work up, we can do it “,he said. Dr Nasim said PCB put in a lot of hard work to prepare the team for the Cup and it was the result of the long term training and exposure of the team that it was producing good results in the Cup.
“But the task is not yet over, the team now face real threat as it plays top teams including India in the coming matches and best showing on part of players can ensure them a title victory” ,he added. Answering a question, he said, special cash incentives would be given to the team for retaining the title or even reaching the final. Dr Nasim said PCB disciplinary committee has started reviewing the case of express bowler Shoaib Akhtar and spinner Danish Kanneria and their recommendations will be followed on the breach of discipline by both the cricketers for issuing statements against the PCB.
He once again reiterated PCB’s pledge for maintaining discipline and said no one is above the discipline and those found guilty of its breach will be dealt accordingly. “We will be deciding this issue before March 8 when our Board’s meeting will be held “,he said adding “ there are number of other important issues including appointment of Director Domestic,PCB which will be discussed in that meeting “,he said. PCB official said it was the result of PCB endeavour to resolve the long standing dispute despite women cricket that its team has qualified for the World Women Cup to be played in Australia next year. “Three years ago there were three teams and infighting and now with our effort we have been able to form a balanced side which showed fine results by putting up a better show in Qualifying round in South Africa against those teams which are playing women cricket for quite long “,he said.
He said Pak women has also qualified for next year’s Twenty-20 World Cup. Answering a question,he said,the inspection team of Cricket Australia will visit next month to review security situation in Pakistan.
“We are confident that Australian team will be visiting us as per the schedule and PCB is fully prepared to hold the matches besides providing top security to the visiting team”, he said.