PCB optimistic of hosting a full series by 2020

The successful culmination of the three-match T20I series against the World Twenty20 champions, West Indies, has once again ignited hopes of the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. The chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi looks extremely optimistic and believes the country can host a full series by 2020 after the West Indies series sparked hopes.

The three-match series against the Islanders, staged in the once militancy-wracked port city of Karachi, was accompanied by a wave of optimism, with enthusiastic fans braving heavy security checks to express their gratitude to the Windies team for the visit which concluded on Tuesday.

Now the PCB is setting its sights on bigger teams, expecting that sides such as South Africa to tour next year. Pakistan’s Interior Minister has also invited the England team to come and play. Former Pakistan captain-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja also praised the efforts in a newspaper column recently.

The terror-ravaged nation was forced to host its international fixtures in the United Arab Emirates. But with security dramatically improving in the last three years, the Pakistan Cricket Board has been taking “gradual steps” to bring them back, PCB chairman Najam Sethi said.

Speaking to AFP, Sethi revealed, “They are bearing positive results. We will host more PSL matches next year and by that time almost all the top international players from top cricketing nations will have played in Pakistan.”

He added, “Then we can convince their boards to send national teams for a full series to Pakistan in 2020.”

International cricket has been stalled in the country since 2009

Turning back the clock, international cricket in Pakistan had come to a standstill after anti-socials attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka cricketers to the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in March 2009. Following the mishap, several international teams had refused to tour the country and consequently, Pakistan had to shift their base to the UAE.

In 2015, Zimbabwe braved a tour to Pakistan for a short limited-overs series but was left scarred by a bomb blast merely 800 meters from the Gaddafi Stadium during the second ODI.

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