Karachi, Oct 29 (PTI) Legendary Imran Khan and JavedMiandad have described Sri Lankan team's visit to Lahore toplay a T20 international today as a good sign for the returnof international cricket to Pakistan.
"I am very happy to see that the Sri Lankan team is inLahore and will play today at the Gaddafi stadium. Their visitis very important for our cricket and hopefully it will nowlead to more teams coming to Pakistan," Imran told atelevision channel.
Sri Lanka became the first top international cricket teamto tour Pakistan in eight years when they reached Lahore lastnight from Abu Dhabi.
It was an attack on the Sri Lankan team by militants inMarch, 2009 that led to Pakistan being isolated as ainternational cricket venue for eight long years.
Former captain and 1992 World Cup hero Imran, who is nowa leading politician, normally does not see eye to eye withPakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi and has beencritical about him.
But Imran said the cricket board deserved appreciationfor getting the Sri Lankans to play in Lahore.
"What happened in 2009 was very sad and bad for Pakistancricket. It hurt our cricket and young players a lot. But nowthings seem to be moving in the right direction and today ourpeople can show everyone they are a peace loving nation whoenjoys cricket," the former captain said.
Another former captain Javed Miandad also appreciated theefforts of the PCB to bring a top test team to Lahore.
"This visit by the Sri Lankans will do a lot of good forPakistan cricket. I think the doors to international cricketin Pakistan will now open up soon," Miandad said.
He said that the Sri Lankan government, their cricketboard (SLC) and players had shown they were true friends ofPakistan by agreeing to play the match in Lahore.
"I know it must have not been easy for them after whathappened eight years back with them. I can understand if someof their players have pulled out. But the important thing isSri Lanka is here," Miandad told PTI.
Former Pakistan captain and fast bowling great WasimAkram said he was very happy for the young players of thecountry.
"We were fortunate we played a lot of cricket in front ofour people but I always felt bad for the current lot ofplayers many of whom never got a chance to play on their owngrounds before their own crowds. Thankfully that is nowchanging," he said. PTI Cor SSCSSC.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.