Clarke delighted with Pakistan meeting

Giles Clarke, who leads the ICC Pakistan task team, said: “Cricket must stand together and defend itself when assailed by terrorists"

ECB chairman Giles Clarke hailed a “purposeful and constructive meeting” of the ICC Pakistan task team at the ICC’s headquarters in Dubai yesterday.

The five-member task force, led by Clarke - also the ICC director, discussed strategies and possible solutions to help the PCB retain its position in the international game given the security situation in Pakistan.

The task team - which also comprises ICC general manager – cricket David Richardson, former England captain Mike Brearley and Pakistan counterpart Ramiz Raja, plus Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates elite panel of ICC match referees - considered a wide range of issues.

These included how best the PCB could fulfil its commitments under the Future Tours Programmes and meet its obligations under its various broadcast and sponsorship agreements.

The ECB is already helping by staging Pakistan’s two ‘home’ Tests against Australia at Lord’s and Headingley Carnegie next summer.

Clarke said: “It was a purposeful and constructive meeting in which we discussed how the ICC can support the PCB in a situation which is beyond its control.

“Cricket must stand together and defend itself when assailed by terrorists, and the national sport of Pakistan is severely threatened by these atrocities.

“The objective of the meeting was to come up with possible solutions in consultation with the PCB to ensure that the cricketing talent remains attached and attracted to the sport despite the PCB’s inability to host international cricket at home in the near future, and that whenever international cricket returns to Pakistan the side is as competitive as ever.

“The PCB made an impressive and strong presentation in which it sought ICC’s assistance in retaining its position as a competitive team in world cricket and a self-sustaining and revenue generating organisation.

“(PCB chairman) Ijaz Butt and his colleagues have done a very good job under immensely difficult circumstances.

“The task team will now put together its report that will be submitted to the ICC Board at its February 2010 meeting for consideration.”