A top Australian diplomat in Pakistan has expressed his willingness to bring some Australian cricketers to the strife-torn country to help revive international cricket here after a hiatus of five years.
Australia's High Commissioner in Pakistan, Peter Heyward however admitted that his government cannot force the Cricket Australia (CA) to send its team to the troubled nation.
"Whenever I go to Australia I will will meet CA officials and try to convince them to send some players but if they say they can't send the team until it's safe, I understand it completely," Heyward said at a ceremony last night.
Heyward added that he fully understand how keen Pakistan was to host international cricket teams in the country.
"I realise confidence can only be restored if foreign cricketers visit Pakistan," he said.
"I hope to bring some cricketers next year (to Pakistan) to show them the situation and try to make a positive impact," he said without elaborating on whether he was talking about inviting individual players for a goodwill visit or a proper team for a series.
Heyward was addressing the ceremony held to highlight the World Cup being held in 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.
Pakistan won the World Cup when it was last held in Australia and New Zealand in 1992.
The diplomat said Australians were waiting for international cricket to return to Pakistan.
After the terrorist attack on the old Karachi airport terminal recently, PCB chairman, Najam Sethi had said that there was no chance of any international cricket coming to Pakistan before next year.
Expressing disappointment Sethi disclosed that due to the terrorist attack a planned tour by Ireland to play an ODI series had also been postponed which was a big blow to Pakistan cricket.
Ireland was due to tour in September this year.
Heyward said cricket was a strong tool to help strengthen ties between Pakistan and Australia.
