Sammy feels for cricket loving Pakistan fans

AFP, DUBAI: West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy Monday said he felt sad for Pakistan cricket fans who are deprived of watching international stars on home grounds due to security fears in the country.
Pakistan have been facing international cricket hiatus since March 2009 terrorists’ attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus—which killed eight people and injured seven visiting players—led to suspension of all international matches.
That hiatus was briefly broken when Zimbabwe played a short limited over series in Pakistan in May-June last year but that does not guarantee series with bigger teams like India, Australia and England.
West Indies have not played a series with Pakistan since their 2006 tour to that country.
“Well, to be honest, these decisions are never ours it’s the government and the cricket body to decide but what I could tell you is that the fans of Pakistan cricket have been missing some good international cricket.
“We as cricketers get to play in front of our home fans and that is something Pakistan have not had an opportunity to do, to play in front of their own people for a while,” said Sammy who is playing Pakistan Super League here.
“It’s sad but hopefully things could get resolved and every territory could get a chance of playing cricket before their own crowds,” said Sammy who is playing alongside Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi for Peshawar franchise.
Asked whether any Pakistan player has invited him to their country, Sammy said: “We don’t really talk about it, they have been on the road for a long time with Dubai is home base for them.
“I think every cricketer wants to play at home but its not our decision, it’s the administration that decides that so I don't know.”
Sammy said he was enjoying the company of Pakistan cricketers.
“I just enjoy cricket on the whole, to share the dressing room with Afridi, (Wahab) Riaz and (Kamran) Akmal its a pleasure and playing is an honour.”

Sammy feels for cricket loving Pakistan fans

AFP, DUBAI: West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy Monday said he felt sad for Pakistan cricket fans who are deprived of watching international stars on home grounds due to security fears in the country. Pakistan have been facing international cricket hiatus since March 2009 terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team buswhich killed eight people and injured seven visiting playersled to suspension of all international matches. That hiatus was briefly broken when Zimbabwe played a short limited over series in Pakistan in May-June last year but that does not guarantee series with bigger teams like India, Australia and England. West Indies have not played a series with Pakistan since their 2006 tour to that country. Well, to be honest, these decisions are never ours its the government and the cricket body to decide but what I could tell you is that the fans of Pakistan cricket have been missing some good international cricket. We as cricketers get to play in front of our home fans and that is something Pakistan have not had an opportunity to do, to play in front of their own people for a while, said Sammy who is playing Pakistan Super League here. Its sad but hopefully things could get resolved and every territory could get a chance of playing cricket before their own crowds, said Sammy who is playing alongside Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi for Peshawar franchise. Asked whether any Pakistan player has invited him to their country, Sammy said: We dont really talk about it, they have been on the road for a long time with Dubai is home base for them. I think every cricketer wants to play at home but its not our decision, its the administration that decides that so I dont know. Sammy said he was enjoying the company of Pakistan cricketers. I just enjoy cricket on the whole, to share the dressing room with Afridi, (Wahab) Riaz and (Kamran) Akmal its a pleasure and playing is an honour.