PM appreciates team spirit of Pakistan cricket players
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday, congratulating Pakistan's cricket team on its win against India, highly appreciated the team spirit and urged them to continue it to win more laurels for the country.

He was talking to members of Pakistan cricket team here at Prime Minister House.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Federal Minister for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Chairman BCCP Sheharyar Ahmad Khan, Managing Director of PTV Arshad Khan and all the members of the team were present on the occasion.

Pakistan drew the three test match series in India with the opening test in Mohali ending in a draw. The second test in Kolkata was won by India while Pakistan won the third one in Bangalore. The six matches one-day series was won by Pakistan
by 4-2.

The Prime Minister, appreciating the performance, discipline and hard work of each player, said Pakistan is known due to cricket in many countries. He said, it also played an important role, due to "cricket diplomacy".

He said the relations between Pakistan and India have improved due to recent cricket matches.

Referring to the improvement of relations between China and US through "ping-pong diplomacy", the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the relations between Pakistan and India would be further improved through "cricket diplomacy".

He said, the cricketers who showed excellent performance in this series, also won the hearts of millions of the people in South Asia and in the world.

Referring to the tough and lively competitions with India, he said, the cricket matches played between Pakistan and India always got special attention, being old and traditional rivals in the sports.

Shaukat Aziz said the victory of cricket team also enhanced respect and honour of Pakistan in the world and improved the image of the country as moderate and enlightened state.

He said sports activities, especially cricket, should be promoted in the world to improve Pakistan's image abroad.

The Prime Minister said unity, discipline, courage and dedication as shown by the Pakistani cricket team during its recent tour to India, should be followed in other fields so that the country could achieve progress and prosperity in other departments.

He said Pakistan is proud of the disciplined and performance of the team during their tour to India and urged them to follow the same "line and length" to win other series. He also appreciated the visit of Pakistani team to a cancer hospital in India.

He urged the cricket team to continue the same spirit and devotion and win the next series particularly the forthcoming tour to West Indies.

He said the government would provide them full support and cooperation so that the cricketers could continue to perform well.

Congratulating the captain of the team Inzimamul Haq, the Prime Minister appreciated his leadership qualities, and said he led the team in a very disciplined and organised way.

He appreciated the efforts of team manager, coach and other officials for their effective role in the victory of the team.

The Prime Minister also shared the feelings of his cabinet members about the cricket matches, and said during the cabinet meetings, he kept informed the members of the cabinet with latest scores.

Referring to just one thousand dollars as prize money for man of the series for Abdul Razzak, the Prime Minister urged the sponsors should increase the prize money for the encouragement of the players.

Chairman BCCP Sheharyar said Indian team will tour to Pakistan after eight months and hoped that the exchange of cricket teams would improve cricket and relations between the two countries.

He said England team will visit Pakistan and Asia Cup is being hosted by Pakistan. He said Pakistan has also offered to host ICC Championship.

Captain of Pakistan's cricket team Inzimam ul Haq thanked Prime Minister for inviting the team to Prime Minister House and assured that the team spirit would continue.

He said due to dedication, courage and discipline of the team members, Pakistan was able to win the matches against India.●