‘I hope to bring cricketers to Pakistan’

Australian diplomat wants to use sport to strengthen countries’ ties.

KARACHI: Canberra’s top diplomat in Pakistan, Peter Heyward, has said he hoped to bring some Australian players to the country to help revive international cricket five years after militants attacked a visiting team.

Pakistan has been forced to play its home fixtures on neutral soil since a 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team, which killed eight people and injured seven visiting players.

Talks with associate team Ireland for a short series in September were put on hold after the Taliban carried out a brazen raid of Karachi airport earlier this month, killing dozens and shocking the country.

Australia’s High Commissioner said confidence could be restored if foreign cricketers visited Pakistan though he did not elaborate on what form the visit might take or which players would be involved.

“Rest assured, whenever I go to Australia I meet Cricket Australia and they say they can’t send the team until it’s safe,” said Heyward. “I understand it completely.

“I hope to bring some cricketers next year [to Pakistan] to show them the situation and try to make a positive impact.

“We all are waiting for cricket to return to Pakistan and the Australian team would love to play here because the crowd is so knowledgeable.”

Heyward added he hoped the two countries could use cricket to strengthen their ties.

“Cricket is one of the issues which unite Pakistan and Australia and I hope Pakistan and Australia meet in the final of the World Cup,” he commented.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2014.

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