India, Sri Lanka should support PCB in bringing cricket back to Pakistan: Shahryar Khan

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan is optimistic that once Zimbabwe completes the tour of Pakistan successfully, it will open the doors for more Test teams to visit the country.

Zimbabwe, which has become the first Test side to tour Pakistan in six years, brings back international cricket to the country when it plays the first of two T20 matches at the Gaddafi stadium on Friday.

“There is a lot of anticipation for this series as we are hopeful it will open doors for more tours in the future,” the PCB chief said.

“More importantly it will also allow us and the government and security agencies to practically assess what more can be done to make touring sides more secure,” he added.

Khan said Pakistan’s aim was to host bigger teams in the future and the PCB was looking for more support from the Asian continent.

“India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all need to give us more support to help us bring back regular international cricket to Pakistan,” he added.

Khan was also optimistic the series of two T20 matches and three ODIs would be well received by the fans who will come out in big numbers to watch the matches.

He said stringent security measures were necessary to make the teams feel safe and fans might have to put up with some inconvenience.

“Zimbabwe has given us a lot of support by undertaking this tour despite pressure on them so we also urge the public to cheer team along with our team as well,” he added.

Khan said he was delighted to see that the series would allow several members of the Pakistan team including Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali etc to play for the first time in front of their home crowds.

“I wish to thank the Zimbabwe Cricket officials for supporting us at this time and we are taking all possible measures to provide them the best security cover.”

A PCB official said as part of extensive security measures, all roads around the stadium will be closed and shops and restaurants have been told to shut down for the duration of the series.

“The law enforcement agencies are also using jammers and fans will have to pass through three layers of security including metal detectors and that is why w have advised them to come for the match three hours before its start,” the official said.

PTI