ISLAMABAD, JUL 04 (DNA) – Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has instructed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday to not request any foreign cricket authority to play a series in Pakistan.

Statement of the premier came in as he hosted a ceremony in honour of the national cricketers after the team won country’s maiden Champions Trophy 2017 last month.

In addition to the winning squad of Pakistan, the gathering was graced by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb among other dignitaries.

While addressing the ceremony, PM Nawaz said that the national cricketers are the “leaders” of the country who made the nation proud of their achievement.

The premier said that it was his desire to meet the national heroes. Recalling his youthful days, PM Nawaz said that there was no cricket ground in his locality where he grew up and after he became the Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, he allocated funds for a sports ground.

However, he said that he never liked a bouncer from any bowler and would play him for a boundary.

When Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to power In 2013, it was in a situation same as that the green shirts were after their first match in Champions Trophy 2017.

However, Pakistan today is progressing rapidly and challenges are being overcome. Several energy projects are underway and a network of motorway is being laid across the country, PM Nawaz said. The Prime Minister handed over souvenirs to each of the squad member and executives of PCB including Najam Sethi.

Earlier the PM had announced Rs 10 million reward for each player of the squad for outplaying India in the final to bring home Pakistan s first ever Champions Trophy.