Former wicket-keeper vows return of international cricket
THE Pakistan Cricket Board has formally appointed Wasim Bari as their new chief operating officer.
Bari, the human resources director, takes over from Salim Altaf, who was sacked by PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.
Altaf had developed differences with Butt over the running of the PCB and was sacked following a governing council meeting last month.
Bari, the celebrated former Pakistan wicketkeeper who was handed temporary charge immediately after Altaf’s expulsion, has now vowed to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.
“A lot of effort is required to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and the PCB will try at least to arrange a Twenty20 international match to break the ice,” Bari said.
“I take the promotion of the game in the country as a challenge for which I will work together with all the stakeholders,” he said.
Pakistan was left bereft of international cricket following a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in March this year.
The ICC Champions Trophy was moved out of the country last year after several teams refused to tour due to safety concerns, while the International Cricket Council also stripped the country of co-host status for the 2011 ICC World Cup.
Bari had served as chief of selectors in previous years and is a close aide of Butt.
He played 81 Tests and 51 one-dayers, and is considered by many to be Pakistan’s greatest wicketkeeper.
