Bring international cricket back to Pakistan – Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan’s Test and One Day International (ODI) skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq, has urged the cricketing world to help revive international cricket in Pakistan and claims that there are no security threats to sports in the country.

The middle-order batsman was addressing a press conference upon his arrival in South Africa, where the Green Shirts will play three Tests, five ODIs and a couple of T20 Internationals, with the first Test scheduled to begin from February 1, 2013, at Johannesburg,

No international cricket has been played in Pakistan since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team outside the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, in March 2009, with the Green Shirts playing even their home matches away from the country.

Misbah, while speaking to the media, expressed that the people in Pakistan love sports, which is the reason why they came in huge numbers to watch the recently played Faysal Bank T20 tournament in Lahore. The captain said that Pakistan is considered to be among the best teams of the sport and it is about time that the ICC and the other boards play a role in bringing international matches back to the country.

“Every stadium was full at the T20 tournament in Pakistan. There were no concerns and everyone enjoyed the game,” Misbah said. “Ten of the players in the current Test side played in the final and there were no issues. Pakistan is such a big cricketing nation and the world really has to think about bringing cricket back there. Stadiums are full and nothing is happening.”

While talking about the forthcoming Test series against the hosts, the Pakistan captain is optimistic that his young pacers, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan, will deliver the goods in conditions which are helpful for seam bowling.

“Junaid Khan would love to bowl in these conditions and Mohammed Irfan will do well if he can put the ball in the right areas,” he added.

The two left-armers played an influential role in Pakistan’s success in the recently-concluded ODI series against India. If the Green Shirts are to do well against Graeme Smith and company, the duo will have to be at the top of their game.

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Posted by Yasir Hashmi on Jan 22 2013. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.