Pakistan Look to Host International Cricket Again in 2012

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are confident that 2012 will see international cricket return to the country.

Pakistan have not played in their own country since a terrorist attack in Lahore aimed at a Sri Lankan touring team in 2009.

Despite two years without international cricket in Pakistan, the PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has claimed that Bangladesh have been invited to tour.

Ashraf said: “I am confident that international cricket will be revived in Pakistan. Even if [Bangladesh] play two or three matches, it will send positive signals to the cricketing community around the world.

“They will be meeting with top security officials of our government. We want to remove this security fear.”

Six police officers and a driver were killed, and several players and officials were injured, when gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lanka team bus on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test.

Since then all 27 of Pakistan’s Tests and their 67 one-day internationals since the terror attacks have been played on foreign soil

Pakistan will face England in three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games in the New Year in a series held in the United Arab Emirates.