First-ever across all three formats success for Team Pakistan in an away series against a frontline cricketing nation
Chairman PCB Shaharyar M. Khan, Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi felicitate captain Shahid Afridi, head coach Waqar Younis, Team Pakistan and its entire support staff
LAHORE–August 2, 2015: Chairman PCB Shaharyar M. Khan has congratulated T20I captain Shahid Afridi, Team Pakistan, head coach Waqar Younis, manager Naveed Akram Cheema and the entire support staff on giving a superb account of itself on its tour of Sri Lanka by winning rubbers across all three formats.
Pakistan clinched its third series in a row by winning two back-to-back T20Is against world champions, Sri Lanka.
“This is the first time ever that Pakistan has clinched series in all three formats in an away rubber against a front line cricketing nation [Pakistan had previously beaten Bangladesh in all three forms of the game in an away rubber in 2011, and the same year accomplished a similar feat against Sri Lanka in its home rubber at venues in the UAE].
“This indeed is a heart-warming performance by this new-look Pakistan side, and has been celebrated across the country. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s congratulatory message is reflective of the celebratory mood of the nation,” said PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.
“On this superb run, the contribution of the coaching staff headed by Waqar Younis must be acknowledged. They worked with different captains in each of three forms of the game to obtain a result that we had not in Sri Lanka for nearly a decade, since 2006 to be precise,” added the PCB Chairman
Speaking from London, Chairman PCB called up Shahid Afridi and team manager Naveed Akram Cheema to felicitate them on winning its seventh match out of 10 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, sweeping all three series.
Chairman PCB’s Executive Committee Najam Sethi also congratulated captain Shahid Afridi and the team management on winning the last game of T20I rubber, for a clean sweep in the shortest and newest format of the game.
Excerpts from the PCB Chairman’s message to captain Shahid Afridi and Team Manager Naveed Akram Cheema:
“On rounding off the tour with victory in the second and final T20I, please convey my congratulations to each member of the team and the coaching and support staff. This is for the first time that Team Pakistan has most convincingly won series in all three formats on an away tour against a top-ranked outfit.
“Winning seven out of the 10 matches is really overwhelming. You have indeed made the nation proud with your consistent performance.
“This indeed is a heart-warming performance by this new-look Pakistan side, and has been celebrated across the country. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s congratulatory message is reflective of the celebratory mood of the nation.
“The good thing is that despite being in a transitional phase, with many youngsters thrown at the deep end in all three series, Team Pakistan is showing promise and equipoise that bodes well for its immediate and long term future.
“As a busy home season beckons, I see this Pakistan team playing some positive cricket, much to the delight of its passionate fans.”
