Kumar Sangakkara, The MCC President, Likely To Tour Pakistan In The Coming Year
Published - 19 Dec 2019, 10:46 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:02 AM
Pakistan, as a cricketing nation, has received another boost in the form of international cricket being played in the country. Pakistan went in lockdown for a brief period post a devastating set of events when a terrorist group attacked the Sri Lankan team on their way to the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore. After almost a decade, Test cricket returned to the cricketing-frenzy nation when Sri Lanka decided to give Pakistan yet another crack to host them. In a further development, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) President, Kumar Sangakkara is slated to tour Pakistan next year.
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The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman from Sri Lanka was not only on the bus which was attacked but among the six players who were fatally injured. But Sangakkara firmly believes that it is essential to promote more cricket in Pakistan after the country was put to isolation during its constant battle with the militant groups. The MCC will likely send a touring party to Pakistan and the southpaw is understood to have agreed to lead the side in a few matches in February 2020.
The Pakistan cricket team, during these years, used to play all their home matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The veteran also lauded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for improving the state of security to get Pakistan in hosting international fixtures. The seeds of the return were sown by Zimbabwe in the year 2015 as they toured Pakistan for a short limited-overs series.
“It is hugely important to support cricket in countries such as Pakistan,” said the now retired Sangakkara, who was injured in the attack in 2009. “The PCB has done a tremendous job in rebuilding the international cricketing landscape since the tragic events of 2009.” Sangakkara said as quoted by Times of India.
The MCC secretary Guy Lavender has been in talks with PCB CEO Wasim Khan and said that they are in continuous conversations with regards to facilitating satisfactory security protocols to ensure maximum success.
“Of course the predominant focus has been assessing the relative safety and security considerations, and we are working closely with the PCB to manage a robust security plan to ensure the tour can take place,” Lavender stated.
Sangakkara excited to lead the MCC touring party:
The retired batsman also hailed his own countrymen for touring Pakistan and received feedback that every facility, including the security, was perfect and there existed no room for complaints. He stated that he is thoroughly looking forward to this trip and that the club has played a big part in strengthening the return to cricket in Pakistan. As far as the venues are concerned, all the matches would be played in Aitcheson college in Lahore.
“I am excited to be captaining MCC on the tour to Pakistan. With international cricket having returned for the first time in a decade, it is wonderful the Club is doing its part to strengthen cricket in Pakistan and I look forward to being part of the trip.” he said as quoted by News18.
The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi resulted in a draw. The two sides move on to Karachi to play the second Test that begins on 19th of December. After successfully hosting Sri Lanka, the PCB is also in talks with countries like Australia, South Africa, and Ireland to invite them to play bilateral series in Pakistan.
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