Pakistan expected to start hosting international matches again post World Cup

Pakistan had been home to some great cricket matches in the past and has also had the honour of hosting a fifty over ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil way back in 1996 when Sri Lanka won the tournament. 

However, a terrorist attack on the same team’s bus when they were touring the country in 2009 saw as many as eight Pakistanis dying while six Sri Lankan cricketers suffered wounds of varying degrees. Ever since, international cricket has ceased to be played in the country with Pakistan using UAE at its home venue.

However, in recent years, some of the later stages of the Pakistan Super League were being played in the country, with foreign players travelling with the teams too and playing without any controversies. This has encouraged the PCB to make an announcement that all the fixtures of the upcoming edition of the league, its fifth season, would be held on Pakistan grounds. Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi and karachi have made it to the shortlist of the venues in which the matches would be played.

Former ICC President and present PCG Chairman also stated that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh may play their respective bilateral tournaments as a part of the ICC Test Championships in the country itself instead of travelling to the UAE. 

Pakistan also has tentatively secured rights to host the 2020 Asia Cup, though it could be moved to the UAE if India objects to playing on Pakistan soil regarding security concerns. The last time the country had hosted a multi-national tournament was also the Asia Cup 11 years ago, when Sri Lanka had emerged as the champions in 2008.