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LAHORE. — Umar Akmal has said he is excited to play for Pakistan in front of his home crowd for the first time in his career, and is overjoyed that international cricket is returning to his country with the Zimbabwe series.

Akmal made his international debut in August 2009, but no Full Member nation has toured Pakistan since the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus in March 2009.

Zimbabwe will play two T20Is and three ODIs in Lahore beginning tomorrow.

“It will be an amazing feeling, it would mean so much to me. Cricketers around the world take playing at home in front of their own crowds for granted,” Akmal told Pak Passion.

“But unfortunately many of us Pakistani cricketers have never been able to play in our own conditions which is really tough. I know the people of Pakistan are really looking forward to the return of international cricket to Pakistan and so are the players.

“I can’t wait to hopefully walk out in front of the Lahore crowd if I am selected.” — Cricinfo