International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive David Richardson said on Wednesday that if security arrangements in Pakistan continued to remain satisfactory, the country would host ICC events in the coming days.
“The World XI’s tour has marked the start of the revival of international cricket in Pakistan,” he told reporters in Lahore after his arrival from Dubai.
“The World XI playing in Pakistan will send a positive message to the world that it is a safe country to play in,” he added.
The ICC official was flanked by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi.
Richardson said Giles Clarke, the head of the International Cricket Council (ICC) task force for Pakistan, and the PCB had worked really hard to revive international cricket in the country.
“It’s very heartening to see international cricket in Pakistan. The people here love cricket,” he added.
Richardson also appreciated the efforts of the security forces for providing a secure environment for playing cricket.
“We are focusing on having a team from an ICC member state play in Pakistan,” he said.
“The PCB has been trying to have a series with India and it has taken up this issue with the ICC. We don’t want ICC members resorting to taking legal action against each other.”
The ICC chief executive said the cricket governing body would continue financially assisting the security company that is looking after events in Pakistan for three more years.
Sethi told reporters that he was grateful to Richardson for the role he had played for reviving international cricket in the country.
“We are a peace-loving nation and really looking forward to other teams coming to Pakistan and playing here,” he added.
