Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has described the return of international cricket to the country after six years of isolation as 'a big joy'. Zimbabwe is all set to become the first Full-Member nation to tour Pakistan since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore rendering the country untenable as an international cricket venue due to security concerns.
Zimbabwe will arrive in Lahore on May 19 for three ODIs and two T20s. The T20s are scheduled to be played on May 22 and 24, and the ODIs on May 26, 29 and 31 before Zimbabwe fly back on June 1.
"I am really happy about that," Misbah told ESPNcricinfo. "At least something is happening for which people and players had been waiting for. It's a big joy for all of Pakistan cricket fans, players and for the PCB officials."
Misbah, who has been Pakistan's Test captain since 2010, was part of the Pakistan squad when gunmen had ambushed the Sri Lankan team on its way to the Gaddafi stadium on March 3, 2009. Several players suffered injuries, while security personnel and civilians were killed, after which the tour was called off.
Misbah said that the attack on the Sri Lankan team was the one thing he wanted to 'forget' from his cricketing life. "That one early morning that happened was really frustrating and you could say it was very disappointing for Pakistan as after that it had a big effect on Pakistan cricket. When we saw the Sri Lankan players and the way it happened to them it was painful," Misbah said. "That's the one thing in my whole life I would want to forget in my cricketing career because the way Pakistan cricket suffered."
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