I hope BCCI now sends Indian team to Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is trying everything within their capabilities to make amends and revive cricket in the country. Only recently, Pakistan hosted the World XI series, which comprised of three T20Is. Named as the Independence Cup, the series played an important role in popularizing Pakistan’s ability to stage international games at home. The Mickey Arthur coached Pakistan won the coveted title defeating the World XI squad 2-1.

And now a home series against India seems to be in the pipeline. In an interview with a local media, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed expressed hope that the Independence Cup will pave the way for more teams to visit the country, including the Indian side. The country also successfully hosted the PSL season two final earlier in the year.

Lauding the PCB for arranging the recent three-match T20I series in Lahore earlier this month, the 30-year-old skipper said, “PCB deserves praise and congratulations along with the [security] agencies and forces for reviving international cricket in Pakistan.”

“I am sure the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will consider sending the Indian team here [after the Independence Cup]. Their players are interested in playing here as well.”

Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan

In the interim, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has revealed the squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka in UAE. Inzamam announced the 16-member squad for the two-Test series at a press conference on Saturday

Wahab Riaz has made a comeback to the team while Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped from the squad. The series starts on September 28 and the final game of that series, a T20I fixture is slated to be played in Lahore.

Pakistan squad:

Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz