Pakistan have not hosted an international series since March 2009

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has made an emotional plea to international teams across the world, pleading with them to come and tour the country and end the four-year dry spell that they have endured.

Pakistan have not hosted any international matches since the Sri Lankan national team were ambushed by armed militants in March 2009, which left eight locals dead and six players injured.

Since then no international team has dared to step foot into the war-torn country, which suffers Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked attacks almost daily.

Over the past year, Bangladesh have called off their tour of Pakistan twice due to security concerns and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) have also warned other international teams to stay away.

Afridi noted that Pakistan have “suffered because of being the frontline state in the war” against Islamic extremists.

“We are desperately trying to revive international cricket in our country and need co-operation but it’s not coming,” he told AFP.

Since March 2009, Pakistan have also been forced to play all of their ‘home’ series in the United Arab Emirates or another neutral venue.

“Pakistan cricket is suffering because of non-cooperation and it is high time that other nations contribute to our efforts,” Afridi added. “Don’t leave us alone.”

Talking about the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Afridi stated that FICA had no right to stop international players from participating in the tournament.

“If two players from each country come we can stage a good league and I request Cricket Australia to send their players,” he said after Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa both announced that they would not allow any of their players to take part in the PSL. “FICA must also co-operate. Pakistan needs support and if a player is willing to come and we are assuring him security, then they must not stop him. This is the time that world cricket must support us.”

Afridi also revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are in the process of trying to forge a special relationship with Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

“Pakistan has helped Bangladesh, they shouldn’t forget that,” he said. “We toured India for a limited over series in December-January which helped them earn a huge amount and now it’s India’s time to help us — all the more so because cricket has been the biggest tool in bringing both nations closer.”