'Australia did not go home at the time of 7/7 London bombing'- Michael Holding bats for more cricket in Pakistan

Ever since the dastardly terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus back in 2009, international teams have been reluctant to tour the terror-savaged nation. Since then, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made concerted efforts to bring this beautiful game to the cricket-mad nation.

An amalgamation of world cricketers have toured Pakistan as a World XI side for a couple of times in the past, but Pakistan needed a full-member nation to really press their case for the return of top-notch cricket. Which is why the visit by Sri Lanka, despite a plethora of their main players refusing to tour, is being seen as a positive step.

Several former Pakistani cricketers have batted for the restoration of international cricket and it seems like they have now found profound support from former West Indies legend Michael Holding. The cricketer-turned commentator, who is in Karachi for a private visit, addressed journalists where he urged the country’s cricket board and the government to convince other boards. He said that the country must get rid of the stigma attached to security if they want international teams to visit Pakistan.

Michael Holding opines

Holding also went on to cite the example of 2005 [7/7] London bombings, where he alluded to the fact that Australia, who were involved in a Natwest tri-series did not leave the country, focusing on the fact that why Pakistan needs to remove the stigma attached with them.

Michael Holding "the Australian team at the time of the 7/7 bombings were in England. However, they did not go back home, so you know there are stigmas attached to certain countries. It’s important that you find a way to get over those stigmas" #PAKvSL #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 3, 2019

Michael Holding "Here in Karachi I have walked the streets, gone into restaurants, sat down with people and did not feel uncomfortable at all" #PAKvSL #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 3, 2019

The former West Indies bowler, who arrived in the city last week, also talked about his experience and how the country was treating him well and that he roamed across streets, gone into restaurants, chatted with people without fear. Holding referred to the fact that Pakistan will have to prove everything is fine and when other teams do come like the Sri Lankan team, it will testify to everyone that everything is fine and that they’ll be taken care of prudently.

Michael Holding "You have got to prove that everything is fine and when the Sri Lankan team is here, show everyone that everything is fine and they are well taken care of. I am sure other teams will come to Pakistan" #PAKvSL #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 3, 2019

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has completed their three-match ODI series against Pakistan which they lost 0-2. The ODI series will now be succeeded by as many T20Is that will be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

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