LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has termed the ongoing visit of the Sri Lankan team a defining moment in Pakistan cricket.

“It is a history making moment in Pakistan cricket as the Lankan team has played One-day and T20 international series after a gap of a decade and it is going to have a very positive impact on our national cricket,” he told APP here on Tuesday.

He said it is after a long gap that any team has played two back to back series of different formats at Karachi and Lahore. which is a clear indicator that Pakistan cricket is well on the path for the resumption of international cricket. The third and last match of T20 series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played on Wednesday.

“This teams’ tour is of greater significant as the visiting team which met a terrorists attack here in 2009 is again touring Pakistan and it will send a positive message to the other cricketing countries that things have become conducive as far security is concerned for staging international cricket in Pakistan,” said the former stylish middle-order batsman.

The former chief selector described the series as a trust-building measure for bringing back international cricket to Pakistan.

“It is not an ordinary cricket series between the two countries and is a high-profile cricket event taking place in Pakistan which will help restoring the trust of other cricket-playing nations in Pakistan,” said Inzamam.

“The successful tour of the Sri Lankan side will not only pave the way for the return of international cricket to Pakistan butl also add to the confidence and morale of our majority of our players who have played first time in their own backyard.”

The former Test cricketer and one of country’s leading run-getter acknowledged the hard work and continuous efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for bringing back international cricket to the country.

“The PCB stood firm on its stance of having cricket in Pakistan and it pleaded the country’s case at all international forums in a very professional and positive manner and finally got the support of their old and trusted friend Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for making this tour possible,” said the former Pakistan captain.

Inzamam was of the view that the return of the international cricket will serve the cause of cricket in Pakistan, especially at the youth level as the young generation will get inspired by seeing foreign teams playing in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2019