Big news likely for cricket fans in Pakistan

Big news likely for cricket fans in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Cricket Board incoming manager has hinted at arrival of top international team to Pakistan in early 2019.

Incoming managing director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wasim Khan is hopeful that the Australian cricket team can be persuaded to return to Pakistan for the first time in more than 20 years in the early months of 2019.

Australia last played in Pakistan in late 1998. They are scheduled to play five ODIs against Pakistan in the UAE in March, however, Wasim is keen to ensure any perceived security gaps are closed so that Australia can be persuaded to play matches in Pakistan at the start of that series in an attempt to bring regular international cricket back to the country.

“I will ask the question,” Wasim said in an interview link. “We will continue to offer them the highest level security and, if they have any concerns, we will act to meet them.”

Wasim said he will also invite an MCC team to tour the country in the coming months and invite county teams to use the excellent academy facility in Lahore as part of their pre-season training plans.

Leicestershire, where Wasim remains chief executive until the end of January, are the obvious candidates. They currently have no pre-season trips planned in 2019, with Wasim accepting that such a visit may have to be sponsored by the PCB.