I have no problem being in Pakistan, good to see Sri Lankan team thinks so too, says Michael Holding

09/30/2019

West Indian great Michael Holding says he has no problem being in Pakistan to support the return of international cricket to the country with the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. Holding strongly feels that Pakistan should not be left isolated from the game because of a 10-year-old incident.

Ever since the terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team during the second Test in Lahore in March 2009, Pakistan, as an international cricketing venue, had become abandoned. Perhaps that is all the more reason to appreciate the Sri Lankans for accepting the invitation to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in the country this month. Besides the Sri Lankans’ visit, another major boost of confidence for Pakistan cricket came in the form of Holding.

“If I had any apprehension or fear of security, I wouldn’t have come to Pakistan. I have no problem here. It is good and encouraging news that the Sri Lankans are here to play international matches,” Holding told Dawn.

“Pakistan should not be isolated from the game just because something had happened ten years ago. It is useful to have security precautions which obviously is every country’s priority and Pakistan is not any different,” Holding said.

Holding was particularly impressed by Imran Khan, the present Prime Minister of Pakistan, and PCB chairman Air Vice Marshal Nur Khan who had initiated the move to invite Sri Lanka for the series.

“Of course they were the ones who did it and the ICC took heed from them,” Holding added.