Diplomats vs PCB: Batting betters battered image

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the ‘big three’ appeared to have unofficially patched up on the cricket pitch as the Commonwealth Diplomats’ XI and the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman’s XI played a goodwill cricket match in the capital on Monday. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar also took time out to score 35 not out and gathering his limited sense of humour to invite the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for a round of the “gentlemen’s game.” The friendly match was organised at the Saidpur cricket ground by the Roots Millennium Schools and saw active participation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and other foreign missions in the capital. Speaking to the media after the match, minister Nisar quipped that the TTP members appear to be interested in cricket and if a match does take place, the “outcome will be positive.” He said he suspects certain elements do not want international cricket to return to Pakistan. However, the government is trying to establish peace in the country, Nisar said, and cricket can help promote the spirit of peace and friendship. Earlier, in a closely contested match, the PCB Chairman’s XI edged out its rivals by two runs, after setting a target of 250. The Chairman’s XI was led by the PCB Chairman Najam Sethi and featured present and past Pakistani cricketers including Intikhab Alam, Abdul Qadir, Sarfaraz Nawaz, Kamran Akmal and Nasir Jamshed. The diplomats were captained by the Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward with Canadian Ambassador Greg Giokas, British and Indian diplomats featuring in the team. Heyward told The Express Tribune he personally wished the Australian national team could tour Pakistan. “But the decision is up to Cricket Australia and as far as I am aware they are still wary about the security situation in Pakistan,” the High Commissioner said. “I hope once things settle down, Australia will tour Pakistan.” Test playing nations have avoided playing in Pakistan after a 2009 attack on the touring Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore. Pakistan has been playing its home series in the United Arab Emirates ever since. But bringing international cricket back to Pakistan is one of the top three priorities of the PCB chairman. “My top three priorities are to introduce a democratic constitution for the PCB, reorganise domestic cricket on regional lines and bring international cricket back,” Sethi said. The friendly match was important because diplomats often offer advice to their countries’ cricket boards about international travel, he said. “Their perception of a country’s conditions is very important.” Sethi said events such as the cricket match on Monday give the message that despite the law and order situation “life is still going on” and things are not as bad as they are shown in news broadcasts. Argentine Ambassador Rodolfo J Martin Saravia, who is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, said it was great to watch Pakistani and foreigners playing in a bid to encourage other teams to come to Pakistan. “I hope that in sports, such as cricket and hockey, other countries can come to Pakistan and play tournaments here given that proper security is ensured,” Saravia said. “Pakistan deserves international sports competitions at home.” Roots Millennium School Chief Executive Officer Faisal Mushtaq said “it shows the world that we Pakistanis stand for peace, collaboration, growth and prosperity.” The match, which was played under a police security cordon, was watched by a large contingent of Islamabad’s residents and members of the foreign missions. Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2014.