ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The former International Cricket Council president, Ehsan Mani, met the federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday to give him  detailed input on what type of security will be required for international cricket teams whenever they tour Pakistan.

“I met him since we know each other for the last many years and gave my input on what type of security should be in place for the international teams visiting Pakistan,” Mani told Dawn after the meeting.

Pakistan is yet to see an international cricketing event on its soil since a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009.

When asked whether the federal government is hiring his services for any backdoor sports policy, Mani said: “I just shared my experiences and it was a routine meeting.”

Asked whether teams like Australia or England will be touring Pakistan in the near future, he said: “I do not see it happening soon. It will be quite difficult for teams like Australia and England to visit Pakistan because the situation of this region is not that conducive and we are passing through tough times.”

Mani maintained that tour of the Bangladesh cricket team will be the key move which may pave the way for Pakistan in revival of international cricket.

“The Bangladesh security team is due to visit Pakistan and if they give a go ahead to their team for the tour, it will be a big boost for us,” added the former boss of the game’s governing body.

Opinion

Editorial

On press freedoms
03 May, 2026

On press freedoms

THE citizenry forgets, to its own peril, how important a free and independent media is in the preservation of their...
Inflation strain
03 May, 2026

Inflation strain

PAKISTAN’S return to double-digit inflation after 21 months signals renewed economic strain where external shocks...
Troubled waters
03 May, 2026

Troubled waters

PAKISTAN’S water crisis is often framed in terms of scarcity. Increasingly, it is also a crisis of contamination....
Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...