The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Khan has brushed aside all allegations that they bribed the Zimbabwean cricketers to tour Pakistan for a short limited over series, last month.
Khan said on Friday (June 12th) that while PCB had paid around USD 500,000 to Zimbabwe cricket to cover all their expenses for the tour but it was highly unfortunate that there had been rumours about Zimbabwean players being bribed to tour Pakistan.
“That is not true as the tour was approved by both the boards and just yesterday our Prime Minister sent a message of thanks to the Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe for allowing his team to tour Pakistan,” Khan scotched the rumours.
“In such a scenario, there is no question of bribing players,” he also added.
Zimbabwe was the first Test side to tour Pakistan in six years after other boards refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns following the militants attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009 in Lahore.
The Zimbabwean tour was seen as a tremendous success as the two T20 matches and three ODIs saw overwhelming support from the spectators who came in huge numbers to enjoy the matches.
“The response of the people was enough for us and vindicated our stance that international cricket needs to be revived in Pakistan,” the PCB chief said.
On Tuesday he confirmed that a deal was struck with Zimbabwe but rubbished such claims that the African nation was “bribed” into touring Pakistan.
A reliable source in the PCB told PTI that of the total amount given by the PCB to Zimbabwe cricket, the latter’s players receiving $12,500 each.
Khan also made it clear that since the Zimbabwe tour was not part of the future tours program and a one-off engagement, and that PCB had no intentions of giving concessions to the teams touring Pakistan in the future.
“The tour by Zimbabwe was an exception as we were keen to host an international and in return we will tour there in August,” he said.
He also mentioned the fact that the series was on bilateral terms. “We are making every effort to revive proper international cricket in Pakistan and we have approached other boards after the Zimbabwe team’s visit to send their teams to our country as we capable of providing them the best security,” Khan added.
“The visit by Zimbabwe has given us confidence and we will build on the success of the tour. I am sure lot of perceptions about playing in Pakistan will have changed after this tour,” he said. “The Zimbabwe players told us they had not received such a rousing welcome anywhere before in any country and the series was also played in a secure and stable environment what more can we ask for,” he said.
Khan also admitted that the board was now more confident about organizing the Pakistan Super League T20 early next year and is also planning to invite other teams.