Pakistan could not play a single test this year. The year will be remembered by the nation who has the largest number of cricket fans who die for cricket. Not that the Pakistani team was banned or that the players were not prepared enough. It was the terror, in other words, the security concern of the other teams that stopped Pakistan from witnessing a single match on its grounds.

There were scheduled tours of South Africa and Sri Lanka as well as the West Indies this year. Besides, there were several proposals too. But as South Africa landed in the nation to play the game, the terrorists took over the game. Owing to the several bomb explosions, that rocked the nation in the presence of the African team, the security council of the South African Cricket Board asked its players to return. The Champions Trophy is now scheduled to be held somewhere towards the end of November 2008.

Following the threat, the West Indies team too refused to land on the pitches of Pakistan for the two-match Test series. However, sources from the WICB say that they will be sending in a team of juniors for the game. But this too, is doubtful as the WICB Security Council has already declared Pakistan grounds as insecure.

Under these turbulent times of cricket in Pakistan, Indian Board of Cricket offers some respite to the PCB. This respite is the acceptance of the security proposal sent by the PCB to the BCCI. Following this acceptance of the itinerary and security proposal, other teams may also reconsider their decisions. Though considered arch rivals in the game of cricket, it is very pleasing to hear that the neighbors trusted each others’ security plans and gave a green signal to the international games on the Pakistani grounds.

This means that the Indian Team will be touring Pakistan from Jan 4 to Feb 24, next year. This comes as a respite not only for the PCB, but also for the cricket fans who prioritize the Indo-Pak cricket before anything else. This also means that other teams too will reconsider their decisions or may also wait for the tournament to pass off peacefully. In any case, the international cricket is all set to return to Pakistan next year. So folks, get ready for some real action on the Pakistani pitches next year.