LAHORE: Former Test captain Saleem Malik hailed Zimbabwe cricket team’s visit to Pakistan while former Test leg-spinner and chief selector Abdul Qadir said he was not in favour of a visit by any foreign team to Pakistan as security situation was not satisfactory.

They were talking with the media at the Lahore Press Club where Saleem was awarded the honourary membership of the club by its president Arshad Ansari.

Saleem said Pakistan had to start hosting foreign teams. In the beginning, low profile teams would tour and with the passage of time prominent teams like Australia, India and South Africa would also tour Pakistan.

He said the arrival of Zimbabwe was a good sign and now it was high time for country’s security agencies to provide foolproof security to the visitors.

He said the PCB had taken a good step in inviting Zimbabwe as the fields of Pakistan had turned into desert.

Qadir said he had been against Sri Lanka’s visit when they were attacked by terrorists. “With the blessing of God, the Sri Lankan team survived a big disaster,” he said.

He added the PCB should not take further risk by inviting foreign teams as security situation was not satisfactory.

He said instead of focusing on inviting foreign teams, the PCB should strengthen its domestic structure.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play