Cricket in Pakistan is good for world cricket: Shashank Manohar

International Cricket Council Chairman Shashank Manohar has appreciated and welcomed the return of cricket to Pakistan and he hopes that the upcoming T20I series will open doors for international teams to visit the cricket-loving nation in the time to come. Pakistan will host an international series after almost nine years, barring the limited overs series against Zimbabwe at home in the year 2015.

Cricket took a back seat in Pakistan since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, in the year 2009. Manohar said that it is a good move for world cricket, as Pakistan is set to play World XI tomorrow. The cricket fans are eager to see their heroes play. Someone like Mohammad Amir, who has established himself as a match-winner since his debut, as has not played in his home soil in an international encounter.

Good for World cricket

“This is a good day for world cricket as the PCB hosts a World XI in Lahore. It has been a long and tough journey as the PCB, Pakistan players and fans have been starved of the opportunity to stage, play and watch international cricket in their own country,” said Manohar in a statement.

Best wishes from ICC

“The ability of Pakistan to play international cricket at home is crucial to the long term health of the game in Pakistan and one of the main reasons why the ICC established the Pakistan Task Force under the leadership of Giles Clarke, to explore, in partnership with the PCB, how we can get international cricket back to Pakistan safely and on a regular basis.” he said.

Manohar hopes the visit by the World XI team will lead to international teams visiting Pakistan frequently. “I send both teams and the PCB the very best wishes from the whole cricket family for a competitive series that the passionate fans in Pakistan can enjoy. I sincerely hope that this week’s games mark the start of a steady flow of international cricket to this great cricket nation,” he added.