22 Jan 2013

Pakistan captain says playing 'home' tests abroad is hurting side

9:11 am on 22 January 2013

Pakistan's cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq says having to play 'home' Tests abroad, often in the United Arab Emirates cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is affecting the competitiveness of the team.

No Test series has been staged in Pakistan since armed militants attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore four years ago, killing eight locals and wounding six visiting players.

Misbah-ul-Huq says Pakistan should be allowed to stage international cricket again, as his team prepares to face top-ranked South Africa in a three-Test series.

The 38-year-old right-hand batsman says Pakistan is such a big cricketing nation and the world has to think about bringing international cricket back to the country.

He says a Twenty20 tournament in Pakistan saw full stadiums for every game and there were no security concerns.

The Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema backed the views of Misbah, stressing that the security situation in the country was much safer than the outside world realised.

Misbah-ul-Huq says Pakistan plays only about five or six Tests a year while other countries play 15 or 16 a year.