ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-PAK-SRI-TESTS
Test cricket to finally return to Pakistan with Sri Lanka tour
KARACHI, Nov 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Test cricket will return to Pakistan
after a long gap of 10 years after Sri Lanka agreed to a tour for two matches
next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Thursday.
The vote of confidence from Sri Lanka is hugely symbolic, as it was the
attack on their team bus during a visit to Lahore in 2009 which drove
international cricket away from Pakistan as the country grappled with
militancy.
Six policemen and two civilians were killed while seven Sri Lankan players
were injured in the attack.
For years afterwards, Pakistan hosted all its “home” games in the United
Arab Emirates as foreign teams refused to visit the cricket-mad country for
security fears.
But Pakistan has seen a dramatic improvement in security in recent years,
and international cricket has begun to creep back.
Minnows Zimbabwe became the first team to return Pakistan in 2015 for one-
days and Twenty20s, followed by a Twenty20 series by a World XI in 2017, a
one-off T20 match against Sri Lanka later that year, and a visit by the West
Indies in 2018.
Sri Lanka also completed three one-day internationals and as many Twenty20s
in Karachi and Lahore last month.
But the announcement of a Test series, still the most highly regarded
cricket format, is an important step — especially when it involves Sri
Lanka.
“The Test series schedule was confirmed today after Cricket Sri Lanka gave
their thumbs-up… following a highly successful visit last month,” said a
Pakistan Cricket Board statement Thursday.
The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from December 11-15, while the
second Test will be held in Karachi from December 19-23.
“Sri Lanka’s one-day and T20 tour not only delivered security from the top
draw, but packed houses sent out a loud and clear message about the security
situation in the country as well as passion for the game,” the PCB said.
“This is fabulous news for Pakistan and its reputation of being as safe and
secure as any other country in the world,” added PCB director of
international cricket Zakir Khan. The PCB statement quoted Cricket Sri
Lanka’s chief executive Ashley de Silva as saying they were “pleased” to
confirm the tour.
“We are comfortable and convinced conditions are suitable and conducive for
Test cricket,” he was quoted as saying.
The two Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, which is being
played between the top nine teams of the world, culminating in a final in
June 2021.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1541 hrs