Pakistan ready for Internationals
Players from the visiting International World XI Monday said overseas
teams should return to tour Pakistan soon, after two Twenty20s against
an all-star home side passed off successfully at the weekend.
The exhibition games were the first appearances by high-profile
foreign players in Pakistan since deadly militant attacks on the Sri
Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009 led to the suspension of
international matches in the troubled country.
The visitors’ captain Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka said
international cricket should return to Pakistan. “After these two
matches I hope people will believe that Pakistan is a safe country for
cricket,” he told reporters on his departure.
“We had two great days with good crowds coming and I am sure that
with more efforts international cricket will return to Pakistan.”
Security was tight as capacity crowds of 32,000 packed into Karachi’s
National Stadium -- evidence, if it were needed, of the Pakistani
public’s desperation to see top level cricket at home.
Jayasuriya, the dashing left-hander who was instrumental in Sri
Lanka’s 1996 World Cup win, said he felt sad for the deprived people of
Pakistan.
“It is unfortunate that the people of Pakistan are not getting
international cricket on their grounds, but I am sure they will get it
sooner than later,” he said. Former South African Test bowler Andre Nel
said Pakistan was ready to host foreign teams again.
“I was initially hesitant on touring,” said Nel, who played 36 Tests
and 79 one-day internationals for South Africa until 2008. “After these
two well-organised matches I am sure Pakistan cannot be denied
international cricket for long.” s The Pakistan Cricket Board, which
distanced itself from the matches initially, said it hoped a platform
had been set for the revival of the game.
“I hope these matches, despite being private, are a good step,” board
chairman Zaka Ashraf told reporters on Sunday night.
“We are doing our efforts and hope that we are able to convince teams
to tour us.”
Ashraf said his board was in talks with Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and two
other boards and hoped international cricket would be revived by as soon
as next year.
AFP
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