Pakistan Cricket Board is engaged in talks with the Kenyan cricket board about arranging a series in Pakistan between Kenya and Pakistan. Pakistan has invited the Kenyan cricket team to play against Pakistan A in a series of one day matches. The tournament is being planned from 20th November till 29th November 2014.
PCB is trying to engage an international cricket team in order to restore the confidence of the international cricket teams and break their long spell of isolation brought upon them by the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. Earlier, PCB had invited Ireland to play a series in Pakistan, but their visit was cancelled by the terrorist attacks on the Karachi airport.
PCB is hoping that their plans go ahead and the negotiations are successful. So far, Kenya is also willing to visit Pakistan for this series. Previously, PCB had also invited the Bangladeshi cricket team but they withdrew their plans. In a recent visit by PCB chairman Shahryar Khan, the chairman convinced Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India about the improved security situation in Pakistan. The BCB has agreed to send over their security assessment team.
Cricket is not the only field that has suffered from the terrorist attacks. Over all Pakistan economy has suffered due to the security concerns created by the attacks and it has become difficult to restore investor’s confidence in the market. To prosper, Pakistan needs to reboot its image in the international scene.