Test cricket returns to Pakistan after a decade as SL agree for Test series

After a decade of Test cricket’s exile from Pakistan soil, it’s set to mark its return as Sri Lanka have agreed to tour the nation for a two-match Test series in December.

The Lankans had recently toured in September-October in Pakistan for a limited-overs series comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is.

The last time Pakistan hosted a Test on home soil was in March 2009, when the ghastly terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus had occurred. Quite obviously, the nation was barred from hosting international cricket. But things look positive for them now after 10 years of waiting.

After a second-string Sri Lankan side successfully completed a limited-overs tour on the soil of the estranged hosts, the visitors were quite impressed with the security arrangements there. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has now agreed to tour Pakistan once again and this time it will be a Test encounter, comprising two games in the month of December.

"We are pleased to confirm our return visit to Pakistan as based on our earlier visit, we are comfortable and convinced conditions are suitable and conducive for Test cricket,” SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva revealed.

"We also believe all cricket playing countries should host international cricket at home and in this relation we are happy to play our part in the complete resumption of international cricket in Pakistan, which not only has a proud history but has been one of our biggest supporters in our early days as a cricket nation."

The two-match Test series will be a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, in which India is leading by a mile. The first Test is scheduled to be played from December 11-15 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, followed by which the National Stadium in Karachi will host the second Test from December 19-23.