International teams will be touring Pakistan soon: ICC Chief

KARACHI (Monitoring Desk): The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive David Richardson has said that Pakistan is out of its most dangerous phase, which is why international teams will be visiting Pakistan in the near future.

The ICC Chief addressed media in a press conference at the National Stadium in Karachi.

“The PSL was a positive step. Cricket is slowly returning to the country. India is a signatory to ICC agreements. They are bound to play Pakistan as per schedule,” said Richardson. “Bilateral series however depend upon the two boards.”

On the question of India not playing Pakistan in the World Cup Richardson explained that all countries in the mega event are signatories of an agreement which binds them to play against each other.

“If a team decides not to play a particular team, the other team gets those points. There was a time when Pakistan was considered as a dangerous country. This was why players of international teams were hesitant in coming here,” he said. “Recently the New Zealand attack took place. Pakistan has come out of a very hard time. They have faced this hardship bravely. Whatever happened in New Zealand used to happen in Pakistan. They are an example of how to deal with times like these.”

Richardson was also of the opinion that the situation was changing and this would open the door for future international tours.

“Even in hard times Pakistani players played cricket and performed exceptionally well. The situation in the country is now changing. Step by step Pakistan is progressing. Slowly and gradually international tours will be revived in the country,” he said. “A lot of effort has been made to bring back cricket in Pakistan. ICC stands with the PCB in all these matters.”

Richardson was also grateful to the PCB who invited him to the final and closing ceremony. He said that the PSL has proved that Pakistan is a safe country.

“We will continue working with the PCB. I would also like to thank the foreign players who came to Karachi. There is a perception that Pakistan is unsafe. PSL matches have proved this perception wrong,” he said. “In terms of security the ICC is performing its duties.”

Richardson said that the PCB should invite international teams and said that the ICC would help in this regard.

“It is our job to stay neutral. PCB is firm in its intent to bring back cricket in Pakistan. Because of tensions between India and Pakistan, the prospects of a series have been affected,” he said. “ICC will work towards helping revive cricket in Pakistan.”