US welcomes proposal to host Indo-Pak matches

Lahore, Nov 8 : USA Cricket Association (USCA) is keen to host matches between India and Pakistan at Florda's stadium, which will be approved by the ICC as proposed by an Indian government official.

Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs in India had recently said that two countries should rsume their cricketing ties at a neutral venues and US could be an ideal choice stage matches.

USACA senior vice-president Nabeel Ahmad said, ''We are keen to have both the top teams of the sub-continent and we welcome India’s proposal in this regard.'' ''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,'' Nabeel told APP from Detroit.

He further asserted that USACA is fully equiped to host an event of such stature and can even arrange a series at a short notice.

He also dispelled the impression that the US did not have an international-standard stadium.

''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,'' he revealed.

Nabeel added that the ICC was keen to have international matches in the US as the game was getting popular in the country which also because of the expatriates from the sub-continent and South East Asia.

''Cricket is gaining rapid popularity in the US, especially Twenty20 cricket, and the youth is taking keen interest in it. More and more players are joining the game and we see a bright cricket future in the US because market is full of sponsors.

''We plan to build more international cricket stadiums with the passage of time in other parts of the US,'' he stated.

''If Abu Dhabi or Dubai can host successive matches, why can't we?'' he asked.

''There shouldn’t be any reluctance from the PCB or any other cricket board on this issue, because in the present circumstances they are playing at neutral venues where just one international-standard facility is available,'' he added.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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