Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan has said that three big countries England, Australia and New Zealand have given a confirmation on touring Pakistan in next 24 months. Indeed, it is some news for Pakistan because hosting the series of these nations will prove to be a big step for bringing international cricket back home.
Pakistan was seen as the dangerous country after Sri Lanka’s team bus was attacked at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk in 2009. All the teams have scrapped their plan of touring Pakistan to play cricket in the recent past. As a result, United Arab Emirates (UAE) had become their adopted home.
But last year, they were successful in convincing the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to send their cricketer to play Test and T20I series. Without any halt, Pakistan hosted a series against Sri Lanka. It was a significant development in Pakistan cricket as they hosted the Test series in the home ground after 10 years.
Now, PCB is ready to take a big step forward by hosting series against the three nations in 2021 and 2022. The board CEO Wasim Khan has said that as long as the health situation in the world allows, three of the top four teams in Test cricket will come and play in Pakistan.
“These teams [England, Australia and New Zealand] have already confirmed that they will tour Pakistan in 2021 and 2022. Depending on the [global health crisis] situation, the coming years will see regular international cricket activities in Pakistan,” Wasim Khan said, as quoted by geosuper.tv.
Earlier this year, PCB’s chairman Ehsan Mani affirmed that Pakistan is a safe place to host cricket now.
Pakistan expected to host Zimbabwe and South Africa:
Notably, before the three major nations, Zimbabwe is expected to tour Pakistan in November this year to play 3 T20Is in Rawalpindi and 3 ODIs in Multan. Pakistan has also roped in South Africa as a touring party for January next year to play two Tests and 3 T20Is. PCB will also host Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year.