Pakistan hopeful of Bangladesh visit

Pakistan’s cricket board said yesterday it hopes to arrange a tour by Bangladesh as part of efforts to revive international cricket in the country. Pakistan have not hosted any international series since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. Foreign teams have refused to tour the country over security fears. “We are in touch with the Bangladesh Cricket Board” on the issue, Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said. “There were some positive negotiations between the two boards on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council meeting earlier this month.” Pakistani media last week reported Bangladesh might tour in December for a short limited-over series. But Sarwar said a final decision on the tour would only be taken by the Bangladeshi board. “We are wholeheartedly endeavoring to revive international cricket in Pakistan,” he said. Bangladesh were due to tour Pakistan in April for a short-limited over series but the Dhaka high court blocked the tour on security grounds. Pakistan this month successfully hosted two Twenty20 exhibition matches involving world stars from South Africa, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.