Pak hopeful of return of international cricket in next year or so - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Pakistan cricket team's manager Abdul Rauqib has expressed hope that foreign teams would start visiting the country within the next one year or so, as the security situation has improved over time. Rauqib, who is currently in Australia with the team, said situation has improved in the country, however, he did not elaborate his views. "Things are improving in the country and hopefully, most probably within in the next year or so the teams will start coming to Pakistan . But at least the cricket is on ... that's the main thing, domestic cricket we are playing and that's a good thing," The Nation quoted Rauqib, as saying. "Whether we are playing at home or abroad, at least we are playing cricket," he added. Several foreign teams have refused to visit Pakistan citing the precarious security situation in the country. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also shifted the 2011 World Cup matches from the country to the other three host nations following a terror attack on the touring Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March this year. The ICC also moved the Champions Trophy to South Africa after several teams refused to visit Pakistan , where suicide attacks have almost become a daily phenomenon.