Karachi, Sep 14 (Inditop.com) After having “fruitful” discussions with officials in England last weekend, Pakistan’s cricket chief Ijaz Butt is confident that international matches will return to the country.
Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman met the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke and other top officials in London to discuss measures aimed at bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. Clarke heads an International Cricket Council (ICC) task force that has been assigned to devise ways for the return of international matches to Pakistan.
“I had fruitful discussions with Mr. Clarke and there are hopes that the ICC task force will work and revive international cricket when it’s possible,” said the PCB chief.
Pakistan became a no-go zone for international sportsmen after Sri Lankan cricketers were ambushed by terrorists in Lahore last March.
The attack left eight people, mostly cops, dead besides injuring several cricketers and one team official.
The ICC was forced to shift the Champions Trophy from Pakistan to South Africa and also relocated 14 World Cup 2011 matches which were supposed to be hosted by Pakistan because of security fears.
Pakistan, which hosted its one-day series against Australia in UAE this summer, has also been forced to play three ‘home’ Tests against New Zealand in New Zealand in late November-December.
The PCB will host New Zealand for four one-dayers and two Twenty20 games in Dubai and Abu Dhabi next month.