Security has improved a lot, Pakistan has become safe to play cricket again: Inzamam-ul-Haq

The veteran of 120 tests said Pakistan cricket had suffered a lot due to the absence of any international cricket matches in Pakistan.

Karachi: Chief selector and former Test captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq has called on the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) to send a delegation to Pakistan to explore the security situation here and decide if it was safe to play in the country.

"I think when they came here themselves and see that the security situation has improved a lot in Pakistan they will see it has become safe to play international cricket once again," he told the media in Islamabad.

The veteran of 120 tests said Pakistan cricket had suffered a lot and gone backwards due to the absence of any international cricket matches in Pakistan since 2009.

"FICA needs to understand that if the Pakistan cricket board is planning to hold the PSL final in Lahore or invite the West Indies to play some matches it is only after getting clearance from the government," he noted.

"It is only after consulting and coordinating with the government and other security agencies that the PCB has decided to now try to organize international matches once again in the country," Inzamam said.

No leading Test team has toured Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, 2009. Since than only Zimbabwe toured Lahore last May to play a short limited over series while Pakistan has managed to invite Afghanistan and Kenya to play in the country.

The former captain noted that in the recent past when the security situation was not safe the PCB itself avoided inviting teams to Pakistan on government advice.

Inzamam said if the FICA sent a delegation to Pakistan they would see for themselves the extreme passion and love that the people have for cricket.

"International cricket will only resume in Pakistan with support from other cricket playing nations, foreign players and players associations and that is why it is necessary for everyone to understand that the security situation has improved a lot in the country," he added.