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BACK HOME: MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER TEST SERIES

Lahore

There is a lot more at stake than World Test Championship points for Pakistan when they host Sri Lanka in a twomatch series this month as the country hosts its first Tests on home soil since the 2009 militant attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore.

That attack left six security personnel and two civilians dead and six players injured, and saw Pakistan spend the next decade in the Test wilderness as teams refused to play there.

With the country’s cricket board (PCB) giving assurances that Pakistan was safe to travel, Sri Lanka returned to play several limited overs matches earlier this year, though 10 key players opted out citing security concerns.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne said it was now time to bring Test cricket back to Pakistan.

“After the 2009 incident, players were scared to travel to Pakistan,” he said in a PCB podcast.

“But our Twenty20 and ODI teams have toured the country and they told us that security and other arrangements were really good.

“All our guys are ready to play. We are looking forward to a good series in Pakistan.”

The series, which begins in Rawalpindi tomorrow, will be as much a test of Pakistan’s organisational abilities as its cricketing skills.

The PCB has promised watertight security for the tour and has invited Bandula Warnapura and Javed Miandad, captains in the first Test between the teams in 1982, for the series opener.

“December 11 will be a very special day in Pakistan cricket history and it is appropriate that it is celebrated with Bandula

Warnapura and Javed Miandad on our side,” PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani said.

“PCB will continue to hold similar events... as we are now on the road to hosting regular international cricket at home.”

Pakistan, who were forced to play their “home” Tests at neutral venues, will look to use the series as an opportunity to bounce back after being swept 2-0 in Australia, suffering innings defeats both in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Sri Lanka will be playing under new coach Mickey Arthur for the first time, who only took charge last Thursday and will start his tenure against former employers Pakistan. Quick bowler Suranga Lakmal has been ruled out with dengue fever. – Reuters

Picture: Getty Images GOOD TO GO. Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne feels the time is right for Test cricket to return to Pakistan as they arrived for a series with the hosts yesterday.