The chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Dr Noor Muhammad Murad, while terming his recent trip to Pakistan fruitful, has hoped that bilateral cricketing ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan would get further strengthen. He further said that, in the meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Sheharyar Khan, different aspects of developing coordination between both the cricket boards were discussed. “Our focus and request was basically to play ODI matches with Pakistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is ready to send the national team to various cities of Pakistan to help the revival of international cricket in the neighboring country [Pakistan]”, said Dr Noor Muhammad Murad, while talking to this correspondent for News One TV.
The CEO, visited Pakistan, along with the president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani and held talks with top PCB officials before witnessing the friendly encounter between Pakistan “A” and Afghanistan “A” in Islamabad on Saturday. Dr Noor Muhammad Murad further said that the infrastructure in Afghanistan was still short of the ICC prerequisites therefore, they could host Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if a bilateral agreement is reached between the two boards. “Considering the ICC regulations, we can also host them [Pakistan] in the UAE, that was the main focal point of the discussion”, said Murad. “Initially he [the PCB chairman] showed his keenness to develop this kind of cooperation but we are still waiting for the implementation plan”, concluded Dr Noor Muhammad Murad.