ICC chief backs Pakistan to host international cricket on "regular basis"

Over the past two years, the likes of Australia and England have all returned to the country for the first time since the Sri Lanka bus attack in 2009 while New Zealand are scheduled to play three Tests in the country over New Year

ICC CEO, Geoff Allardice, has backed Pakistan to host regular international cricket in the future, hailing the 2022 season as a "huge step forward".

Following the Sri Lanka bus attack in 2009, when a group of gunmen opened fire on Sri Lanka's convoy ahead of the third day of the second Test in Lahore, international cricket was removed from Pakistan and the UAE became a home away from home for the national side.

International fixtures returned to the country in 2015 but only in the past two years have the likes of Australia and England toured Pakistan.

Australia's multi-format tour in March and April marked their first visit to the country since 1998 while England ended their own 17-year hiatus with a seven-match T20I series in September and the recently concluded three-match Test series.

A Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on December 26 while the country has also been awarded hosting rights for the 2023 Asia Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy

^{England returned to Pakistan for the first time in 17 years in 2022 [Matthew Lewis/Getty Images]}

Series in Pakistan still aren't without their problems, with New Zealand and England both pulling out of tours in 2021 over security concerns and the pitch in Rawalpindi earning two 'below average' ratings in the past 12 months.

However, Allardice has praised the set-up in the country after watching the third Test between Pakistan and England in Karachi.

"The fans in Pakistan are passionate about the game and passionate about their team, but most importantly they are welcoming of visitors," Allardice told Pakistan Cricket.

"I have always had great experiences when I have travelled to Pakistan and I have been to see a few series over the last few years and the welcome is always very warm.

"To have series like this taking place and fans travelling to Pakistan, and New Zealand starting in a few days time for their Test series as well, is a huge step forward to getting cricket back in Pakistan on a regular basis."

^{PCB chair Ramiz Raja [Matthew Lewis/Getty Images]}

Speaking to The Cricketer earlier in the year, PCB chair, Ramiz Raja, spoke at length about the return of "western bloc" teams to Pakistan.

"Everyone was hesitant about whether Australia would make the trip but thankfully they came," he said. "There was a lot of good camaraderie and good feeling and I think Australia left feeling satisfied.

"We wanted a team from the western bloc to come because we've been playing a lot of subcontinent sides and taken a lot of steps to get back the confidence of the world.

"Every time a team comes here there is presidential security. It is so expensive to undertake but we cannot keep our eyes off it because we've got to make sure no other incident like the Sri Lanka bus attack [happens]. This is our most important season of the past 20, 30 years."