The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the return of Test cricket in Pakistan after 10 years and released the schedule of the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
According to a press release issued by PCB, the first match of the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played from December 11 to 15 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, while the second match will be played from December 19 to 23 at the National Stadium, Karachi.
Sri Lanka was supposed to return to white-ball cricket in October this year for a 2-Test series and again in December, but Sri Lanka switched the limited-overs series to a Test match to assess the security situation.
According to PCB, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed the schedule of the Test series under the Future Tours program after the successful conduct of the ODI and T20I series in Pakistan.
In this regard, Pakistan Cricket Board Director International Cricket Zakir Khan said that this is a wonderful news for Pakistan which proves that Pakistan is a safe country like any other country in the world.
He said, “We are grateful to Sri Lanka for sending the team for the Test series, which is a result of the PCB’s efforts in reviving international cricket and will help attract the younger generation and fans to cricket.” ‘.
Director International Cricket said, “After confirming the schedule for the Test series, our focus will now be on ensuring that the series is organized to the highest standards.”
He said that ‘we will leave no stone unturned to make this Test series memorable for players, officials, fans and media’.
Also, Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Ashley De Silva confirmed the Pakistan tour and said, “Based on our first tour, we are calm and confident that the conditions will be favorable for the Test series.”
It should be noted that since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009, Pakistan had not hosted any Test match on its soil.
Since then, Pakistan has had to play all its home series at the neutral venue of the United Arab Emirates, but the PCB spends a lot of money on holding the series there, and for this reason, the board has been for a long time not allowing foreign teams to come and play in Pakistan. I was trying to convince him.
After hosting Zimbabwe in the ODI series in 2015, the three-nation Test-playing World XI toured Pakistan in 2017 to play a three-match T20I series.
Then the Sri Lankan team came to Pakistan to play an ODI match, after which the West Indies toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series and after that the PCB went ahead with the full restoration of international cricket in the country. has been
During this time, Pakistan Super League matches were also held in the country in which superstars from all over the world participated. Played matches.
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**Interview with Zakir Khan, PCB Director of International Cricket**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Zakir. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. The PCB recently announced the return of Test cricket to Pakistan after a decade. How significant is this moment for Pakistani cricket fans and the country as a whole?
**Zakir Khan:** Good afternoon! It’s indeed a historic moment for us. The return of Test cricket signifies not just our commitment to reviving international cricket but also demonstrates that Pakistan is as safe a destination for cricket as any other country in the world. Our fans have been eagerly waiting for this, and it’s wonderful to see this dream coming to fruition.
**Interviewer:** The first Test match against Sri Lanka is set to take place at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in December. Can you tell us what led to this series being scheduled now, rather than having the originally planned white-ball series?
**Zakir Khan:** Absolutely. Sri Lanka was initially scheduled for a limited overs series, but they decided to switch to a Test match series to gauge the security situation more closely. After the successful ODI and T20I series held in Pakistan, Sri Lanka Cricket felt confident to move forward with Test matches, and we’re grateful for their cooperation.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the successful conduct of previous series. How does that play into the PCB’s efforts to revive international cricket?
**Zakir Khan:** Each successful series builds trust. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that matches are conducted smoothly, with the highest levels of security and hospitality for all visiting teams. With Sri Lanka confirming this Test series under the Future Tours Program, it’s a clear indication that our efforts are paying off.
**Interviewer:** Looking forward, how do you believe this Test series will impact the younger generation of cricket fans in Pakistan?
**Zakir Khan:** This is crucial for inspiring the next generation. Test cricket is the purest form of the game, and having these matches in our country will help reignite passion amongst our youth for the sport. We want them to see their heroes play on home soil, which can motivate them to take up cricket, contribute to the sport here, and possibly represent Pakistan one day.
**Interviewer:** is there a message you’d like to share with cricket fans as we approach this significant event?
**Zakir Khan:** I want to express our deep gratitude to all cricket fans for their unwavering support. Let’s come together to support our team as they take the field. This is not just about cricket; it’s about showcasing Pakistan to the world. We look forward to welcoming the Sri Lankan team and hope for thrilling matches ahead!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Zakir, for your insights. We look forward to the Test series and the positive impact it will have on cricket in Pakistan.
**Zakir Khan:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for all of us.
