Kumar Sangakkara wants Australia, England or South Africa to play in Pakistan

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has come up and said it is important for major international teams to go back and play cricket in Pakistan for the proper resumption of international cricket in the Asian country. In 2009, the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists on their way to the Lahore stadium. Since then, no international cricket was played in the country. Only in 2019, international cricket started happening again. Pakistan Super League 2020 was also entirely held in the country

Sangakkara was part of the Sri Lankan team which was attacked by terrorists in 2009 during their tour to Pakistan. The legendary batsman returned to Pakistan while representing Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) earlier this year.

“It doesn’t matter an Asian side going there or a secondary side in terms of world prominence when it comes to having security measures in place,” Sangakkara said during The Cricket Show on Sky Sports Cricket.

“Players can go back and play some great quality cricket: Kumar Sangakkara backs return of cricket in Pakistan

The former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman also said that it is crucial for teams like England, Australia or South Africa to get on with the idea of touring Pakistan. He also made it clear the teams should only do it when the security has been assured.

“I think it’s important that England or Australia, even South Africa, make up their minds to actually tour when security is assured and they have those discussions; the MCC tour will be a precursor to that.”

Sangakkara also commented that there might not be a long Test series played along with an ODI series in international cricket now. He said teams could play two Test matches on one tour and then go back to play three ODIs.

“I don’t think you are ever going to see in the near future a five-test match series coupled with a one-day series played back-to-back,” said the former Sri Lanka captain. “I think it will be more a case of you play two test matches, you take a break, you go back and play three one-dayers,” he added.

Recently Bangladesh and Sri Lanka broke down their tours of Pakistan into three and two legs respectively. For instance, Sri Lanka played three ODIs and three T20Is at one go. The team, later on, returned to Pakistan for two Test matches. The 42-year-old said that it may not be the right time for long tours but teams can go back to play cricket in Pakistan.

“It’s not exactly the right time for extended tours, but I’m sure that with the right communication and the measures in place that players can go back and play some great quality cricket, have a great time and bring cricket back to Pakistan,” Sangakkara said.