Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar warned against inviting international teams to Pakistan due to the prevailing security situation in the country. The 41-year-old’s comments came in the light of a terrorist attack in Quetta which claimed the lives of 62 people, after a Police Training Centre was targeted. Speaking to a local news channel, Akhtar said, “Until there is complete normalcy as far as security situation is concerned, we shouldn’t take the risk of inviting any foreign team to Pakistan.” The former fast-bowler added: “The security situation is such that we have to be patient. I am sure international cricket will return to Pakistan, but it will take some time.”

Earlier this month, Pakistan Cricket Board official Najam Sethi announced that the final of the second edition of Pakistan Super League would be held in Lahore in February. Sethi also said on Thursday that the board succeeded twice in convincing Ireland and West Indies to play some matches in Pakistan, however, both times some untoward incidents took place. No top Test side has toured Pakistan since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. Nevertheless, Afghanistan, Kenya and Zimbabwe have sent their teams to Pakistan since that incident.