All rounder Shahid Afridi has made a touching appeal to the cricketing world to help in ending Pakistan’s four-year isolation from staging international cricket matches following the vicious terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.
Afridi, who has urged the cricketing world to help them in their efforts to revive international cricket in Pakistan, said that Pakistan has been sidelined by international cricket bodies and has suffered because of non-cooperation, the Daily Times reports.
The former Pakistan captain added that his country also is suffering because it is the frontline state in the war against Islamic militants
Afridi also made an appeal to the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) and other cricketing nations by asking them to help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bring foreign players for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The player said that if a cricketer is willing to come to Pakistan for a game after being assured of adequate security then the cricketing board of his country should let him visit.
Making a special appeal to subcontinent countries, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Afridi said that Pakistan is looking for a special bond with these countries, as cricket has been the biggest tool in bringing the nations closer.
No international cricket has been played in Pakistan since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009, killing eight Pakistanis and wounding seven visiting players.
Minnows Bangladesh twice called off tours last year over security fears and the head of FICA has warned players not to take part in an inaugural Twenty20 tournament this year.
