Kumar Sangakkara will lead an MCC squad on a tour of Pakistan in 2020, as part of a ‘long-stated aim’ of the MCC World Cricket Committee to support cricket in the country. This comes as a further boost for cricket’s return to Pakistan, who are currently hosting Test matches against Sri Lanka after a gap of over 10 years.
“It is hugely important to support cricket in countries such as Pakistan, and the PCB has done a tremendous job in rebuilding the international cricketing landscape since the tragic events of 2009,” MCC President Sangakkara said. “I am excited to be captaining MCC on the tour to Pakistan. With international cricket having returned for the first time in a decade, it is wonderful the Club is doing its part to strengthen cricket in Pakistan and I look forward to being part of the trip.”
The confirmation of the tour, that’ll take place in the month of February, comes after a full investigation into security measures, and assessment into the viability of the trip.
“The people of Pakistan have been starved of seeing their team play at home for a decade and it is wonderful to see that Test cricket has recently returned to the country,” MCC Chief Executive Guy Lavender said.
“As a Club, one of MCC’s priorities is to maintain its global relevance on the game by supporting countries in their provision for cricket, and we are united with the global game in wanting to see international teams returning to play in Pakistan.
“Of course the predominant focus has been assessing the relative safety and security considerations, and we are working closely with the PCB to manage a robust security plan to ensure the tour can take place.”
Lavendar himself will be the Team Manager of the squad which will be coached by MCC Head Coach Ajmal Shahzad, with the matches set to be played at Lahore’s Aitcheson College.
PCB Chairman Wasim Khan was delighted with the move, which he saw as a validation of how Pakistan was as safe as any other cricket nation.
“Following months of dialogue, and the opportunity to put Pakistan’s compelling case forward to the prestigious and important MCC World Cricket committee, I am delighted that MCC has confirmed that it will send a touring team to Lahore in February,” Wasim said.
“The decision by the world’s oldest and most influential cricket club to send a quality team is further testament that Pakistan is as safe and secure a country as any other cricket-playing nation in the world, and MCC’s tour is a further step forward in normalising team tours to Pakistan.
“The PCB looks forward to welcoming the MCC cricket team and we fully expect the squad to have a thoroughly enjoyable time.”
