Pakistan national team head coach Mickey Arthur believes a three-match Twenty20 series likely scheduled in the second week of September between the hosts and World XI would play a significant role and decide the future of cricket in Pakistan.
“I just hope the World XI tour goes ahead and that will almost be the curtain raiser to, hopefully, get some international cricket back,” Arthur was quoted as saying by AFP.
However, the attack this week in Lahore, which has left over 26 dead, has further posed as a threat for the World XI’s tour, as Mickey Arthur revealed the ‘isolation’ has made things miserable for Pakistan cricket.
“The isolation is being very hard on Pakistan cricket,” Arthur asserted.
The proposed series if happened from the world governing body ICC would play a crucial role in reviving the cricket in a country which has witnessed only a couple of international matches since 2009 gruesome attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore when it was on its way towards Gaddafi Stadium.
In 2015, Pakistan hosted Zimbabwe for a limited-overs series after a full-proof security arrangements took place in Lahore, as the cricket-starved fans were eager to witness the international cricket returning to Pakistan as a regular fixture.
However, in March this year, Pakistan witnessed the grand finale of the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between Darren Sammy’s Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators-led by Sarfraz Ahmed.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is doing an unbelievable job in trying to resurrect international cricket,” Arthur added.
Interestingly, Pakistan adopted a second home in the United Arab Emirates since 2010, where they have had tasted the success after teams denied to tour Pakistan owing to the security concerns.
Arthur reiterated playing away from home conditions makes things difficult for the side while adding the players have been working harder, in order to look out for the desired results.
“Every international match we play as a unit we are playing effectively away from home, away our own conditions and that makes it doubly difficult,” Arthur maintained.
While terming it as the ‘vicious cycle’, Arthur expressed the concern while saying that no international cricket in Pakistan has affected the domestic set-up of players, who further failed to witness their seniors on the home surfaces.
“Look, I definitely think it affects all cricket,” Arthur concluded.
However, Arthur feels the ICC Champions Trophy win would help Pakistan in the build-up as it has left a huge impact on the gentleman’s game across the globe while adding it was a great achievement for the Proteas to claim the Test and ODI series in 2007 under the guidance of the current Pakistan coach.