Allan Donald happy to see international cricket return to Pakistan

Former South African great Allan Donald was delighted to see cricket return to Pakistan. Ever since the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by terrorists in March 2009, international cricket has been stalled in the cricket fanatic nation. With the exception of Zimbabwe, who toured Pakistan for a limited overs series in 2015, not a single nation is willing to tour the country due to security concerns.

Donald calls Pakistan fans situation catastrophic

Despite PCB’s best attempts, the situation hasn’t improved much. Recently, the finals of the PSL were held in Lahore in March, the very same location where the terror incident occurred 8 years ago. Donald expressed his displeasure for cricket not happening in Pakistan and termed it as “catastrophic”.

“I really feel gutted for the people of Pakistan being deprived and not watching international cricket at home, it is catastrophic actually,” Donald told Geo.tv in an exclusive interview in Cape Town on Sunday.

“Let’s hope that slowly but surely cricket is returning to Pakistan because it’s a tragedy that it is not happening,” he said.

Tour of World XI big boost for Pakistan

Slowly and surely, cricketing operations will resume in Pakistan. Post the success of the team in the ICC Champions Trophy, PCB vowed to invite an international XI to play a series with the national team. In due course of time, the Pakistan Board has managed to get top cricketers on board for a 3-match T20 series starting on September 12, much to the delight of the Pakistan fans. Incidentally, South African skipper Faf du Plessis is appointed as the leader of the side which also consists of stars like Hashim Amla and Tamim Iqbal.

“I know that du Plessis is taking a World XI team over there [Pakistan] pretty soon to play three T20s in Lahore,” he said. “It’s going to be massive and I am sure that tickets are going to be sold out soon.”

“I am happy that cricket fans will be able to see top cricketers in front of them,” he added.

Pakistan are taking this series very seriously and has already picked the squad for the three games. The focused is on youth and identifying young cricketers who have the pedigree to perform at the highest level. Donald said that he was looking forward to the competition. “I am looking forward to watching those three T20Is,” the former fast bowling great said.

‘South Africa cricket will benefit from T20 league’

With South Africa set to begin a T20 league of their own, Donald was happy with the initiative. He opined that the T20 Global League will help South Africa to groom youngsters, something which helped India through the Indian Premier League.

“This was much needed for South African cricket,” he said.

“In 2013 at the Indian Premier League, I witnessed how Virat Kohli grew from a kid to a leader and a top cricketer he has become,” Donald remarked. “So, surely sharing the dressing room with top stars will help our youngsters grow as well,” he expressed.