US cricket association keen on hosting India, Pakistan one-day games

Lahore, Nov.8 : Welcoming Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor's suggestions of hosting India, Pakistan one-day matches in the US, the United States Cricket Association (USACA) has said that it is keen on hosting the arch rivals.

The USACA's senior Vice-President, Nabeel Ahmad, told media persons over phone from Detroit that it would be a privilege to host both the Asian cricket giants.

'We are keen to have both the top teams of the sub-continent and we welcome India's proposal in this regard,' The Dawn quoted Ahmed, as saying.

'It is a very good proposal because everyone related to cricket wants Pakistan and India to resume their cricket as such events are always thrilling and entertaining,' he added.

Ahmed said, given an opportunity, the USACA would host India and Pakistan at Florida's sports stadium, which has been approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host international cricket events.

'To put the record straight we have an 8,000-capacity ICC approved stadium in Florida which can accommodate nearly 25,000 spectators with makeshift arrangements by erecting extra stands at the stadium,' Ahmed said.

'We anticipate hosting India or any other top cricketing nation in the near future to play Twenty20 cricket or a league on the pattern of the Indian Premier League (IPL),' he said.

It is worth mentioning here that Tharoor, recently, had voted in favour resuming cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, saying limited-over matches between both sides should be held at neutral venue and the US could be an ideal choice because of huge Asian population comprising mainly of the Indians and Pakistanis.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt, following his recent India tour, had also said the US could host Twenty20 or 50 over games in near future.

--ANI