LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday rejected the allegations levelled by Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in wake of the tragic Kabul blast yesterday that claimed at least 90 lives and wounded over 450, ARY News reported.
“It is deeply regrettable that the ACB delegation in Pakistan was at pains to insist that politics should not impinge on cricket but has now changed its stance by laying the blame for its troubles and inadequacies on Pakistan”, PCB said in a statement.
“PCB has always encouraged the development of cricket in Afghanistan and millions of Afghan refugees were first introduced to the game in Pakistan”, the national cricket board further said, adding, over the years, the PCB helped cricketers in Afghanistan develop their expertise and an entire generation of Afghan national players honed their cricketing skills in Pakistan.
PCB rejects stance of Afghanistan Cricket Board https://t.co/ImaPWIMHlD
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) June 1, 2017
Moreover, PCB also expressed sympathies with the victims and families affected by the tragedy.
It must be noted that most of Afghan players received their early training in Pakistan and performed excellently under coaching of Inzamam-ul-Haq, a former Pakistani iconic batsman serving now as chief selector of Pakistani cricket team.
Two days ago, it was announced by PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan and ACB Chairman Atif Mashal announced that both countries will play two T20 matches. According to the agreement, one match was suppose to be played in Kabul while second was in Pakistan.
However, the spokesperson of ACB, Fareed Hotak, on Wednesday stated that there was no agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan for cricket series, adding that if there was going to be any agreement, sentiments of Afghan people would be considered first.
