Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has urged the ICC and its member boards to do more to facilitate the return of international cricket to the country.
International cricket has been at a near standstill in Pakistan ever since the terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus at Lahore in 2009 and the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) were hoping to change that picture by inviting the same opposition for a limited-overs tour later this month.
However, those plans have received a big setback with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) currently reassessing the security conditions for the tour following a tip-off for a potential terrorist threat.
Sarfraz, who was on Friday retained as the Pakistan skipper for the upcoming clashes against Sri Lanka, feels that the international cricket community could do much more to help normalise the situation again in the country.
“I don’t know anything about this nor can I say who is behind the threat to Sri Lankan Board but I just think the ICC and member boards needs to do more to support the return of international cricket to Pakistan,” Sarfraz said in his address to the media on Friday.
Sarfaraz Ahmed retained Pakistan captain; Babar Azam appointed vice-captain
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 13, 2019
More ▶️
https://t.co/sDAkoKusU4
“Recently after the Easter bomb attacks (in Sri Lanka) the Pakistan board sent its Under-19 team to Sri Lanka at a time when everyone was wondering whether there would be international cricket in Sri Lanka again.
“The security situation has improved a lot and in the last few years we have successfully hosted cricket without any problem and there have been no security issues.”
Having been retained as the Pakistan skipper for the Sri Lanka clashes, Sarfraz is hoping to work with new head coach cum chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq to change the flailing fortunes of the ODI side.
“I am aware we have not done justice to our potential in ODIs, which has disappointed us as well as our fans,” he said.
“I am hopeful we will be able to turn things around in the coming season and in this relation, I remain committed to stepping up to the challenge with my performances and captaincy.
“I have complete faith in my team, which has time and again shown the talent, class and charisma it possesses. The only thing missing has been consistency, which Misbah and I would like to focus and improve across all departments of the game.”
Sarfraz will have Babar Azam as his deputy skipper for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka which is slated to begin on September 27 with the first ODI.
