International cricket set to return in Pakistan by mid 2017

Good news beckons the Pakistan cricket fans. As per the sources close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), international cricket might make a comeback to the country by mid-2017. The sources revealed that either West Indies or Sri Lanka could tour the country after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The sources also revealed that the finals of the PSL will be played on 9th March 2017.

Thus, the fans can expect an international team touring Pakistan next summer. “Yes, top PCB officials are engaged in talks with their counterparts in West Indies and Sri Lankan cricket boards and hopefully one of the teams from these countries will tour Pakistan after the conclusion of Pakistan Super League (PSL),” a PCB source quoted in APP.

There were speculations about the PSL finals being scheduled in Pakistan. The source refrained from giving an affirmation on this. Earlier, PCB executive committee chief Najam Sethi had hinted about the same prospect on a TV show. He, however, chose not to disclose the teams that the PCB are holding talks with. Sethi had quoted that the board is in talks with a country and is yet to finalise the dates. Although he refused to reveal the team name, he managed to get smiles on the faces of Pakistan team fans.

“We are in the process, as we speak, of finalising the dates [of the series]. I won’t say much more than that. And I hope we will give you some good news, soon,” the PCB chief executive had quoted.

No top ranked or Test team has toured Pakistan for a bilateral series since 2009. It was the attack on the Sri Lankan team back in 2009, that saw cricket fade away from Pakistan. The low-ranked team Zimbabwe toured Pakistan. It will be great for the game if cricket returns back to Pakistan safe and sound sometime soon.