Pakistan News & Features Services
The Chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), Fawad Ijaz Khan, who has championed the cause of seniors’ cricket at international level, reckons that Pakistan, Australia and England have proved as top Over-60s sides in world cricket.
Returning from two-week long tour of England, the PVCA Chairman on July 22 recalled that Pakistan announced its pedigree by winning the inaugural Over-60s World Cup at Brisbane while Australia claimed the title by outwitting England in the final of the 2nd World Cup at Chennai in which Pakistan could not participate due to non-issuance of visas by hosts India.
The Pakistan squad, it may be recalled, seemed set to defend their title on the Indian soil but it was not granted visa despite all out efforts by the PVCA.
“Now, England, by edging out Pakistan in the recently concluded five-match series, has emerged as a major Over-60s force. The PVCA has invited both Australia as well as England to play Over-60s bilateral series at mutually agreed time next year,” Fawad Ijaz Khan disclosed.
“Our team was challenged by the cold weather of England as we had reached there from intense heat and humidity in this part of the world. Acclimatization was a factor which affected our players. Our cause was also not helped by losing every toss during the tour. England made the most of home advantage,” the PVCA Chairman added.
Fawad Ijaz Khan was a member of Pakistan Over-60s squad which undertook the recent tour of England. Nadeem Omar, owner of Quetta Gladiators, captained the side which also contained Saleem Malik, a former Pakistan captain, besides Sajid Ali, Syed Saghir Abbas, Syed Muhammad Ghaffar Kazmi, Muhammad Younus, Tahir Rashid (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Ashraf Pakhali, Shahid Mahboob, Syed Muhammad Shahabuddin, Syed Zafar Ali, Aamir Hameed, Muhammad Yaqoob, Badar Ansari, Syed Mansoor Hussain, Tanvir Ali and Muhammad Akram while Zakir Baig was the manager.
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