Very few people have
know-how about the inside of Najam Sethi. But almost every one is sure two
things about him. First he never says, at his end, anything unnecessarily and
prematurely unless that's also confirmed on the other end. Second what he once
says he then leaves no stone unturned to turn it into reality. It is
largely because of him the dream of Pakistan Super League has seen the
daylight. And, when he said a year ago the final of the PSL 2017 would be host
in Lahore, we have seen it is scheduled in PSL calendar and preparations are
being finalised for that. Just hope no more unfortunate incident takes place in
the country.
He has
proved himself as man of words. That's why when he said last week in my
TV show "Yeh hay Cricket Pakistan" that bilateral cricketing ties
between India and Pakistan would be resumed in the mid of 2017, we all take his
words seriously. The chairman of PSL was my guest last week along with Shakeel
Sheikh, where he revealed a lot of things on the record as well as off the
record.
He was initially focused
on bringing back international cricket activities in Pakistan. No Test playing
nation has visited the country ever since the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. The
Zimbabwe cricket team short tour was exception. Pakistan team and
national cricketers are forced to play their home series and PSL league matches
at abroad because of poor law and order situation and international cricketers
are also reluctant to play in Pakistan citing security concerns. But he was
hopeful that once the final of the PSL 2017 stage and conclude safely in
Lahore, the doors for international cricket in Pakistan will be opened.
According to him,
international teams are ready and intending to tour Pakistan. Though, he was
not in mood to share the name of the team but when I guessed naming West Indies
he just replied in affirmation without saying anything and changed the topic.
On cricket
relationship with India I found him very vocal, tentative and shrewd. He
foresee the melting of ice at diplomatic front in 2017. Besides analyzing the
political and economic factors that are now in the benefit of the arch rival,
he intelligently linked that with sports business, specially the cricketing
income generated when both India and Pakistan enter in the field against each
other. He also shared his political perspective in my sports show that due to
the ongoing developments and growing interest of super powers like China and
Russia in the South Asian region, it will be very hard for any country to carry
on with enmity and hostile relationship. That's why he is so sure about
India-Pakistan political as well as cricket relationship.
In the end he really
left me convinced that days are going to be numbered to boycott Pakistan
cricket team and the 2017 is the year of international cricket activities in
Pakistan. And, I really wish and pray to the God that no more unfortunate
incident takes place in the country.
By Naseem Rajput
naseemrajput@hotmail.com
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