PCB chairman Ehsan Mani wants teams to return to Pakistan – Sport

The return of the limited-limit international cricket to Pakistan after a 10-year absence after a terrorist attack against a foreign team has coincided with a renewed plea from the country's cricket chief to recommend full tours.

Pakistan had a 67-run victory over Sri Lanka on Monday to begin the important return to the cricket home, which was delayed a couple more days due to the weather.

It is the first time since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked on the way to a stadium in Lahore in 2009 that a foreign team made a two-week tour of Pakistan.

Major teams have avoided the country since the ambush that killed eight people and wounded several star players.

Read: Minister of Sports of SL satisfied with security arrangements

This series, initially scheduled to include three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals, went ahead after the Pakistani government assured the Sri Lankan delegation of high-level security normally reserved for heads of state.

It will be the longest period in a decade for any of the best national cricket teams that have visited Pakistan, which has been "host" of overseas games, mainly in the United Arab Emirates.

The president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ehsan Mani, said he wants more international teams to return to Pakistan instead of playing in neutral places.

"It is so important that the game wins over any threat and terrorism," Mani said in a press conference on Monday.

"The main thing is that the safety of the players cannot be compromised, so it was important that the Sri Lankan (cricket) board be comfortable."

Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunications, Foreign Employment and Sports of Sri Lanka, said the bilateral series is important to show regional support.

"Cricket has become a universal game and it's not just about competitiveness, but also about showing solidarity among neighboring nations," Fernando said.

"Life has to continue. We have to keep going, the sport should not stop. I think players from other countries will also come."

Team buses are heavily surrounded by armed security personnel between hotels and gaming venues, and the main roads along the route are blocked by normal traffic.

Security personnel also closely monitor spectators entering the stadium.

"What surprises me is the amount of security they have been given and how they have taken care of it," Fernando said.

"To see that you will recognize every door, every aspect, every person that enters and leaves the ground is being monitored."

Mani said Cricket Australia officials also visited Pakistan recently and met with government and PCB officials. In addition, the PCB president said officials from England and Ireland will visit Pakistan soon to assess the security situation.

"The message is being transmitted and that is why this tour (from Sri Lanka) was so important to us," Mani said.

"We can all say that things are fine, come and take a look, but when cricket is taking place in Pakistan, there is no better support than that."

Several of Sri Lanka's best players withdrew from the tour, but Fernando said players who came to Pakistan could increase the confidence of those who were lost.

Pakistan is expected to host Sri Lanka for two test matches as part of the World Test Championship in December and Fernando was optimistic that his country would host the two five-day games.

"I thought this tour had to happen if we had to play a series of tests here, so I think I'm pretty positive," he said.

Mani said Pakistan will have to maintain high security for some time to reassure visiting teams.

"It is up to us, like Pakistan, to make sure that the (safety) standards we have given to the Sri Lankan cricket board remain consistent," he said.

"I am sure that the message that comes out is strong and powerful."

Mani said he did not want to put Sri Lanka Cricket under pressure for the December test series, but he hoped that "the players who are here will act as Pakistani ambassadors upon returning and giving their security version."

Pakistan's ultimate goal, he said, is to make visiting teams feel comfortable instead of focusing on the security that surrounds them and Mani is realistic: "It could take a couple of years."