England's ouster of Australia boosts interest in Pakistan tour by AFP

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Event:

England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 20th September 2005

 

England's overthrow of Australia in the Ashes has generated huge interest among cricket sponsors and fans in their tour of Pakistan starting next month, the cricket board chief said here Tuesday.

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already acquired sponsorship of 150 million rupees (2.5 million dollars) -- the second highest in Pakistan history after last year's series against India, board chairman Shaharyar Khan said.

 

"There is a definite link to the Ashes. The PCB used to pursue the sponsors but now they are coming to us which shows the market value of the game has increased," Khan told reporters.

 

"By dethroning Australia as Ashes champions, England have built up a reputation and cricket lovers now feel that there would be a good contest in the Pakistan-England series," he said.

 

England, who last week took back the Ashes after a gap of 18 years, are due to tour Pakistan from late October, playing three Tests and five one-day matches.

 

Their announcement Monday of a 17-man Test squad that includes all the 12 players who featured in the Ashes series, and a strong 15-man one-day squad have added to Pakistan's anticipation, Khan said.

 

"Everyone who has played the Ashes is coming, which adds more spice to the series," he said.

 

Pakistan had also been warned to expect a bigger-than-usual contingent of English fans -- the Barmy Army -- for the tour, Khan said.

 

"We have not been officially told but it has been conveyed through telephone calls, 'Please expect more fans than before', and that is because England have won," he said.

 

The PCB chief said the touring fans would be given special care but there would be no separate enclosures for them.

 

Although England beat Australia in the last Ashes series, they remain second behind them in the official International Cricket Council rankings.

 

Pakistan are in seventh place in the rankings, but in April held the third-ranked Indian side to a 1-1 draw in a series in India and beat them 4-2 in the one-dayers.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)