Thursday, April 7, 2016

Shahryar Khan comes to BCCI’s rescue; offers alternate venues for IPL matches

Lahore: To say the embattled Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Shahryar Khan has a lot on his mind is an understatement. With Shahid Afridi’s removal as T20 captain, Waqar Younis’ resignation as national coach and the disbandment of the PCB selection committee, Khan has his hands full. But that didn’t stop him from gallantly coming to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) rescue two days ahead of the ninth season of the IPL.

IPL may become India Pakistan League?

IPL may become India Pakistan League?

“In light of the drought situation in India — as a result of which, numerous states have demanded a shifting of match venues — the PCB is willing to offer six alternate venues to the BCCI to stage their IPL matches,” read a succinct statement issued by Khan’s office, followed by a list of six venues that include the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and the Arbaz Niaz Stadium in Peshawar.

A PCB official told Faking News on condition of anonymity that it is the ‘duty of a neighbour to help a fellow neighbour in a time of crisis’.

“Mr Khan has always maintained that cricket must be kept separate from politics, and this gesture is testimony to that,” said the official, adding, “By shifting games to Pakistan, pressure can be taken off the drought-affected people in Maharashtra and Karnataka”.

After going through a long list of security measures that will be put into place should the BCCI take up the PCB’s offer, the official added, “We are willing to allow India to send their own security teams to protect the cricketers.”

Surely, this move can’t be completely altruistic, can it?

When asked whether the PCB will demand their players be part of the IPL and sign on with franchises in exchange for allowing matches to be played in their stadia, the official smiled.

“Of course not, even we don’t want them. Why would we force them on the BCCI?”

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