LAHORE: Kenya is all set to send their cricket team Pakistan in the second week of December to play three one-day matches against Pakistan ‘A’ side, well-informed sources have told Dawn.

The tour of Kenya is part of a campaign launched by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to revive international cricket in Pakistan. Tens of millions of cricket-crazy fans have not witnessed any international cricket action in the country since March 2009 when the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by armed terrorists in Lahore.

Pakistan have been compelled to play all their home series at neutral venues, mostly in the UAE, as almost all foreign sports teams including those of cricket have avoided touring the country due to security concerns.

Dawn has learnt that while Lahore will hold two matches, one will be organised at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Though Zimbabwe was also willing to visit Pakistan before the 2015 World Cup, the PCB decided to first invite an associate member team as a test case.

Owing to security concerns the PCB has not been able to arrange home series for its ‘A’ and junior teams during the last few years.

Meanwhile, the PCB has sought the federal government’s permission for inviting some foreign teams with the first being that from Kenya.

Published in Dawn, November 23th , 2014