The CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Wasim Khan, has thanked the Men’s Cricket Team for the resumption of cricket for the country in such times in hold by the COVID-19. There was no cricket for months as the lockdown amidst the Coronavirus was deadly enough to threaten the health. A few matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) were also held behind closed door but the league was scraped up with the rising cases.
The first match took place between the hosts England and West Indies as they got featured in the test series. Later, Pakistan began their three-match Test and T20I series respectively that have been winded up on 1st September. The results of the tests were 0-1 for Pakistan as the rain drew other two matches whereas with the first T20I being washed with the rain, the series got levelled by 1-1.
It was definitely tough to stay under restricted protocols, a new experience for everyone and staying without families for a longer span. The players showed extraordinary discipline and it was their courage not to breach a bio-secure bubble.
The gesture is appreciative hence, PCB owes them a hand of thankfulness.
PCB thanks their team for the resumption of cricket in such critical times
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan:
“On behalf of the PCB, I am grateful to each and every player and support staff personnel for their extraordinary display of courage, sacrifice and dedication for the resumption of cricket during extremely tough and uncertain times. Not only the PCB, but the entire cricket community and fans acknowledge their gesture and appreciate them for rising to the occasion.
“It is human instinct to surround oneself with family and loved ones in times of trouble, but these men put the larger interests of the country and the game before themselves by committing to this tour. It has made me extremely proud that these men raised their hands for this unusual two-and-a-half-month-long journey despite an option to withdraw from it due to grave Covid-19 situation at their destination.
“During the tour, they not only played highly competitive cricket but strictly within the rich traditions of the game, which further enhanced the reputation and image of Pakistan, cricket and the PCB. While history will remember this tour as a series of missed opportunities, it will also remember these extraordinary cricketers who gave preference to cricket and national interests. With people like these, the future of Pakistan cricket is strong and safe.
“Our players and staff will be returning this evening and I wish them a safe journey.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the England and Wales Cricket Board for providing over-the-top hospitality to our team. They were looked after really well and were provided top-notch facilities.
“We will now look forward to working closely with ECB in the coming months to plan their tour to Pakistan in 2022.”
Also, Shan Masood says,
A commendable effort by both the @ECB_cricket and @TheRealPCB for making this tour happen. Despite the long lay off, both teams displayed high-quality cricket and more importantly showed how sports unite us even during a global pandemic.
