ISLAMABAD: Mickey Arthur has termed next month’s ICC World XI tour to Pakistan as the country’s best chance to announce that it is safe for cricket.
“Pakistan is a safe country to play cricket; with the World XI tour, the fans here will get to see their heroes after restoration of cricket which is great for nurturing talent in the country,” the Pakistan team head coach said while talking to BBC.
A 14-member ICC World XI squad, led by South African Test captain Faf du Plessis and featuring some prominent cricketers from a number of Test-playing countries, will visit Pakistan next month for a three-match T20 series against the country’s national team. All the matches, which have the ICC endorsement, will be staged in Lahore.
While talking about Pakistan’s current pool of players, Arthur said wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed is an aggressive captain and other senior players present in the team, he can play till the 2019 World Cup.
“We need to give these young cricketers more opportunities in the international arena,” South Africa-born Arthur said.