PCB to hold grand awards ceremony to attract international teams

Lahore, July 29: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to organise a grand awards ceremony on the lines of the International Cricket Council''s (ICC) annual awards in Pakistan this October to attract foreign attention.

"PCB chief Zaka Ashraf is keen to hold high-profile cricket activities in the country at a time when international teams are not touring Pakistan because of security concerns and feels this would be a good way to present the soft image of Pakistan and its cricket," The Nation quoted a source, as saying.

"The idea is to showcase the positive side of Pakistan cricket and its talent on annual basis and utilise the awards ceremony to invite foreign guests as well," the source said.

The source revealed that Ashraf was trying hard to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and believed one way towards this was to have dignitaries from the ICC and other cricket boards would be invited to attend the PCB grand awards ceremony.

"The board wants to organise its ceremony on a grand scale with cash prizes being awarded in different categories similar to the ones in the ICC awards," the source added.

He pointed out that the PCB already has a system in place to offer financial incentives and bonuses to players who excel individually.

"They already give financial incentives to players for scoring a century, half century, taking five or four wickets, catches in different formats of the game," he said.

"Companies have been invited to submit details of their concepts for such a ceremony," he added.

He said the board also expected to generate some income from its annual awards, as it would sell the broadcasting and other rights of the ceremony to a successful bidder.