ABU DHABI: A top official of the Emirates cricket board on Thursday offered Pakistan the possibility of staging more of their home matches here before international cricket resumes in the troubled country.
Pakistan was forced to play its home series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), New Zealand and England as foreign teams refused to tour them over security fears.
Pakistan has become a virtual “no go” zone for international cricket after terrorists' attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year which left seven players and an official injured besides killing eight people.
Following the attacks, the International Cricket Council (ICC) stripped Pakistan of its share of World Cup 2011 matches and formed a Task team to take measures to resume international cricket in the country.
Pakistan has played the West Indies, Australia and New Zealand in the UAE and are currently playing South Africa in a series shifted here after their rivals refused to tour them.
Dilawar Mani, chief executive of Emirates Cricket Board, said he has offered Pakistan the chance to stage their series against Sri Lanka here next year and then host England a year later.
“We don't want to be seen as opportunists, but since Pakistan is unable to stage its cricket at home we want them to decide on their series against Sri Lanka and England before time so that we can prepare,” Mani told AFP.
Even before the attacks on the Sri Lankan cricketers, teams had refused to tour Pakistan because of the ongoing war on terror in and around the country since the 9/11 attacks on the United States in 2001.
Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forcing them to play their home series in Sri Lanka and Sharjah in 2002 and then in England earlier this year.
Mani said Abu Dhabi cricket Stadium is fast catching the eyes of international teams.
“Abu Dhabi will stage ICC shield match between UAE and Namibia in December this year and then ICC Second Division cricket league next year, so we have been getting enough cricket and besides that we want Pakistan to play here regularly.”
Pakistan will also play two Tests -- one each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi -- next month, the first time Test cricket will be played at the two venues.
Mani said he will meet with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt to decide on the future games.
“Abu Dhabi has come a long way in the last ten years as we have entered into an agreement with the MCC (Marylbourne Cricket Club) who staged the English season opener here earlier this year which was great,” said Mani.
English County teams are regulary using the Abu Dhabi Stadium for season warm-ups, said Mani. –AFP
