PCB optimistic of hosting a full series by 2020

The successful culmination of the three-match T20I series against the World Twenty20 champions, West Indies, has once again ignited hopes of the revival of international cricket in Pakistan. The chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi looks extremely optimistic and believes the country can host a full series by 2020 after the West Indies series sparked hopes.

The three-match series against the Islanders, staged in the once militancy-wracked port city of Karachi, was accompanied by a wave of optimism, with enthusiastic fans braving heavy security checks to express their gratitude to the Windies team for the visit which concluded on Tuesday.

Now the PCB is setting its sights on bigger teams, expecting that sides such as South Africa to tour next year. Pakistan’s Interior Minister has also invited the England team to come and play. Former Pakistan captain-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja also praised the efforts in a newspaper column recently.

Speaking to AFP, Sethi revealed, “They are bearing positive results. We will host more PSL matches next year and by that time almost all the top international players from top cricketing nations will have played in Pakistan.”

He added, “Then we can convince their boards to send national teams for a full series to Pakistan in 2020.”