24 May,2011 07:34 AM IST | | AFP
Afghanistan's cricket team flew to Islamabad yesterday to play three one-day matches against the hosts' second side, ending Pakistan's two-year pariah status as an international host.
Afghanistan are the first foreign squad to tour Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.
"It is a big opportunity for the Afghanistan cricket team and I am sure the boys will take this to learn more and more," their coach Rashid Latif told AFP.
"This is an official tour and every tour has its significance," said Latif, a former Pakistan captain who took over as Afghanistan coach last year.
"The tour is approved by the Afghan government and I am sure this will be a small step towards reviving international cricket in Pakistan," he added.
The three matches will be played in Islamabad on May 25, Rawalpindi on May 27 and Faisalabad on May 29.
