ICC Chief Executive lauds Pakistan’s bids to bring cricket back home

Richardson pinned hope that soon leading international cricket teams would be convinced that Pakistan was a safe country for the sport.

“It is not for ICC or PCB to decide about the return of the international cricket to Pakistan. Security experts and consultants of the international teams and players decide that”, the ICC Chief Executive said in a news conference at the Gadaffi stadium along with Pakistan test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq.

“ICC member countries are supporting Pakistan as their teams play with the cricket team no matter in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and this way, the international cricket continues, though not in Pakistan”, he added.

Richardson said indeed security became a huge challenge for several countries and Pakistan was not an exception in this regard and added, Pakistan’s government was making resolute efforts to overcome the problem.

“At a time when the security situation is good for cricket, ICC will welcome the return of international cricket to Pakistan”, he asserted.

However, Richardson admitted that bringing cricket back to Pakistan was still a challenge to achieve.

He said cricket lovers have to wait until the security situation in Pakistan improves to a satisfactory level.

ICC has no control over conducting bilateral series on any ground since it was a real matter between two countries playing against each other, said the ICC official.

“ICC is responsible for its own cricket events and tournaments only and cannot interfere in bilateral series.”

Earlier, the ICC official presented the prestigious ‘Test Championship Mace’ to the country’s test captain Misbah-ul-Haq for achieving the number one test cricket team slot in the world at a simple ceremony at the Gadaffi stadium.