Pakistan needs to convince international teams that it is safe to resume tours to the country, an official of the sport's global governing body told reporters on Friday. Dave Richardson, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) general manager, said he hopes international cricket will soon return to Pakistan but acknowledged teams will only agree to tour if they are given reassurances over security.
International teams have not toured Pakistan since March 2009 when seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach were injured and eight Pakistanis killed when attackers opened fire and hurled grenades at their team bus in Lahore. Pakistan blamed the assault on the Taliban, and the national side has since been forced to play its home series at neutral venues. "We are extremely hopeful that international cricket will return to Pakistan as soon as possible," said Richardson.