Colombo: With Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreeing for a ODI series between both the countries later this year, former Pakistani great Rameez Raza feels that cricket will benefit immensely and should make it a regular affair just like the Ashes.
“We saw it at the 2011 ICC World Cup semi-final, when even American newspapers carried cricket headlines on the India-Pakistan match. I think we should encourage it. It has a lot of scope and people want them to play more often, and cricket will benefit from it. Hopefully, this series should happen. Cricket can solve problem. The ICC should do it in a proper format and include it in their annual calendar, like the Ashes,” said Raza.
Talking in context of the Sri Lankan Premier League, Raza added that it has fired the imagination of cricket fans, young aspirants and purists alike in the sub-continent. He lauded the Sri Lankan Premier League for strengthening Lankan cricket and also giving an opportunity to cricketers from overseas to hone their skills before the forthcoming T-20 World Cup to be held in the Emerald Isle in September.
“The Mahindra SLPL has proved to be good for Sri Lankan players. From the Mahindra SLPL platform they have got a talented off-spinner, Dhananjaya, who is just 18 years old. Based on his performance in the Mahindra SLPL, the youngster has been included in the Lankan squad for the T-20 World Cup,” he said.
The Pakistani legend also pointed out that the T20 extravaganza in Sri Lanka has helped the Pakistani cricketers as well and help them prepare well for the tournament
“Almost 90 per cent team of the Pakistan team was here to play the Mahindra SLPL. It was a perfect platform to prepare against Australia. The Pakistanis are now in running form, and it will not be a rusty side that will play the T-20 World Cup, where the format will be the same,” he said.
“It was nice to see them play their hearts out.” Raja particularly praised Kamran Akmal , Hafeej, Umar and Akmal. “Kamran made a good come back in the Mahindra SLPL. Hafeez , Umar and Akmal – all the new boys have got a chance on a big stage and they have given their best,” added the Pakistani legend.
By Indian Sports News Network
