Sir Richards, Ian Chappell talk for return of international cricket to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Cricket legends Sir Vivian Richards and former Australian captain Ian Chappell have said international cricket should return to Pakistan, underlining crowd and players are starved to watch the game being played in their own country.

Pakistan has been starved of the international cricket since the March 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore. Security concerns expressed by a number of foreign players and cricket boards after the attack have prevented international cricket teams returning to Pakistan who have played their home series in the UAE.

West Indies’ batting legend Sir Vivian Richards, who is also mentor of Pakistan Super League team Quetta Gladiators, talking to media here said, “We came here for the PSL final and the reception we got to see from the people shows how much they are starved for international cricket.

“We have to find ways of restoring international cricket in Pakistan in a big way. When you look at the world in terms of security to be fair we are not safe anywhere,” Richards observed.

Ian Chappell, the former Australian cricket captain, said no international cricket action in Pakistan was a big problem too for the progress of the country’s cricket.

He advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to start with some small steps for reviving international cricket in the country.

It is noted here that Sir Vivian Richards and Ian Chappell were part of the state television’s cricket panel for the Champions Trophy 2017.