Miandad to get diplomatic passport for easy travel to China

Karachi: To facilitate his travel to China as a cricket ambassador, Pakistan Interior Ministry has decided to issue a blue diplomatic passport to newly-appointed - Cricket Board Director-General Javed Miandad.

The Chinese authorities are keen that Miandad start working on a program to establish good infrastructure for the sport in China and to start grooming their players," the official said.

"Miandad is a big name and respected figure in Pakistan and his role as cricket ambassador to China will help further cement ties between both the countries," he said.

Meanwhile, Miandad said he was extremely happy to get this honour and sincerely believed China had the potential to become a force in international cricket in the coming years.

"They are a organised and disciplined nation. It will be easier for them to start improving once they are given proper guidelines, training and infrastructure for cricket."

The former Pakistan captain conceded that the issuance of a blue diplomatic passport will also help him in travelling to other countries to convince them that Pakistan is a safe place for international sporting events.

"The Cricket Board will shortly start an aggressive campaign and lobbying to deal with the issue of some teams refusing to tour Pakistan because of security concerns.

"In current situation we also need to start working on inviting alternate teams for series because we need to keep the sport alive in the country," he said.

Miandad says no to night Test

Karachi (PTI): Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad on Sunday scoffed at Cricket Australia's plans to host a day-night Test against Pakistan in Adelaide in November next year.

"No we will not go with this idea as we don't support attempts to spoil the traditional nature of Test matches, which are still the heart and soul of cricket," Miandad told PTI.

According to a report in Sunday Telegraph, CA will soon seek International Cricket Council's approval for holding the match that will have a 1400 hrs (local time) start.

"Test cricket is our premium form of the game so why (not) play it at a time when most people can watch it? There's no doubt it will happen -- people can go after work and it's a cooler time of the day for spectators," CA chief executive James Sutherland was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

"The Olympics, the NRL and the AFL. Much of it is played at night because it's a more convenient time for viewers and fans," Sutherland had said. But Miandad sees problems galore to be faced by teams while playing under artificial and natural light.

"You can't expect teams to keep on adjusting to natural and artificial light over a period of five days. Having night matches for 50 overs and 20 overs is fine but I would advise the Australians not to tinker with the spirit of Test cricket," he said.

"Plans to have Test cricket under lights would not work. Neither will we support any such move," said Miandad, who has played top-level cricket for more than 20 years.

Warning the cricket boards to be careful with their efforts to further commercialise the game, he said, "We should not get too greedy. Having Twenty20 cricket is OK and it is a money spinner but please don't try to spoil the fun and competitive nature of Test cricket," he said.