A private and prestigious country club, which has been a favourite haunt for visiting
cricketers including the Indians here, has offered to host matches of the rebel
Indian Cricket League.
An official offer has been made by the Arabian Country Club, located out on
the outskirts of Pakistan's southern port city with a private cricket ground
and five-star accommodation, gymnasium and other facilities for its members.
"We just want to promote cricket wherever it is played.
We see nothing wrong with the ICL," Arif Ali Abbasi, chief executive of
the club said.
Abbasi, who has held several influential positions in Pakistan
cricket, said the ICL people had been "overjoyed" at the offer but
nothing was final as yet.
"If they want to come and play some matches, we will welcome
them and then the mechanics of how the teams will gather in Karachi can be worked
out properly," said Abbasi.
He said the club had all the facilities required for matches of top level.
"My opinion is there is no use trying to stop anyone from
organizing cricket if it means promotion of the game and good money for the
players," he said "What is wrong if the players get an opportunity
to earn some extra money. It would be best if the Indian and other boards sorted
out things amicably with the ICL organizers and let players enjoy the best of
both worlds," Abbasi said.
He said any resistance from the establishment to the ICL could
lead to a situation developing similar to the one when Kerry Packer launched
his cricket circus.
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