With crowds packing stadiums again, Misbah urges international teams to visit Pakistan

Former ODI captain says cricket-playing nations should visit Pakistan, help the country out

LAHORE: With Pakistan hosting its first one-day international series on home soil in six years against Zimbabwe before packed stands, national Test captain Misbahul Haq urged international cricketing teams to visit the country and 'help it out.'

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe on Friday to secure its first ODI series win at home since 2008 before an ecstatic crowd.

Misbah, who retired from the ODI format after the World Cup earlier this year, had taken up the commentators microphone instead of a bat during Friday's win. He said he was happy to see international cricket return home.

"We still love this game - even after six years, the passion is still there. The stadium is jam-packed," he said.

"This gives a clear-cut message to everyone throughout the world - you can't just separate the Pakistani nation from cricket".

Misbah urged other cricket-playing nations to tour Pakistan now that Zimbabwe had braved the move.

"Every nation, especially the cricket playing-nations should come to Pakistan and help Pakistan out."

Pakistan hopes that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will tour the country soon.

The article originally appeared on NDTV Sports.