According to the fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistani Twenty20 league would encourage foreign teams to tour the country. Akhtar urged the PCB to start its own league, similar to the multi-million dollar Twenty20 Indian Premier, which was launched this year. He told the reporters, “We need to find our own solution or else cricket will die in Pakistan. We should have our own twenty20 professional league. The money is there and that is one way to get foreign players to play in our country. I know personally there are wealthy individuals and companies in Pakistan and abroad willing to put money into such a project because cricket has big commercial pull in Pakistan.”
Akhtar, while praising England on returning to India for their test series after the Mumbai terrorist attack, said that the Pakistani players were frustrated because of the lack of opportunities to play international cricket this year.
He further said, “We have played no tests this year and teams always have issues with coming to Pakistan due to security. The Indians and other teams need to show the same respect (shown by England) for our cricket and play in our country if our government is giving them security assurances.”
Akhtar added that he wanted to continue playing until the 2011 World Cup although he is suffering from disciplinary and fitness problems this year,
He went on to say, “I am working hard on my fitness and I am going to nurse myself through matches. If I can do that properly I see myself completing 400 wickets in one dayers and playing until the next World Cup.”
His appeal against 18 months ban and seven million rupees ($86,515) fine, imposed by the PCB this year, is pending in the Lahore High Court.
Until the court suspend the ban and till the appeal is decided, he is unable to play.
this news published by www.apakistannews.com
