Pakistan is safe place for cricket: PCB chairman

Lahore, April 19 (IANS) Stating that Pakistan was a safe place for cricket, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has said the success of the upcoming Bangladesh series in Lahore was a "national cause". Bangladesh would be first international team to tour the country since the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team by gunmen in 2009.

"Pakistan is a safe place for cricket. The federal and provincial governments have to function with complete coordination to make the (Bangladesh) series successful as it is the national cause. The Punjab government has the potential to make the best arrangements for the series," Zaka was quoted as saying by Dawn.

Bangladesh is slated to reach Lahore April 28 and will return home after playing a One-day International (April 29) and Twenty20 match (April 30).

"Bangladesh have committed to visit us in the recent International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting and president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has given firm assurances regarding the visit of his team, and there is no truth that they will not be coming to Pakistan," Zaka said.