Richardson: T20 series will send positive message about Pakistan’s safety

“It’s very heartening to see international cricket in Pakistan,” the ICC chief executive said.

David Richardson ... “We are focusing on having a team from an ICC member state play in Pakistan.”

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson has assured that if security measures in Pakistan continue to remain adequate, the country will host ICC events in future.

Reflecting on the Independence Cup, Richardson insisted that the World XI tour to Pakistan would send a positive message across the world that the country is safe to play in. “The World XI’s tour has marked the start of the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. The World XI playing in Pakistan will send a positive message to the world that it is a safe country to play in,” Dawn quoted Richardson as saying.

‘Heartening’

Richardson further revealed that Giles Clarke - the head of the ICC task force for Pakistan - and the PCB had worked extremely hard for the resumption of international cricket in the country. “It’s very heartening to see international cricket in Pakistan. The people here love cricket,” Richardson said.

Richardson said the ICC will continue to financially assist the security company that is looking after the events in Pakistan for three more years. “We are focusing on having a team from an ICC member state play in Pakistan. The PCB has been trying to have a series with India and it has taken up this issue with the ICC. We don’t want ICC members resorting to taking legal action against each other,” Richardson said.

Pakistan is currently hosting a three-match T20 series against World XI.