Zimbabwe's cricket team has offered to tour Pakistan to raise funds for the victims of the country's massive floods, despite the suspension of foreign visits following a militant attack last year. An official of the Pakistan Cricket Board told Reuters the governing body of the ZCU had made contact over a proposed tour.
"They are willing to come over and play a series as they want to help us raise funds for the flood victims. They have left it up to us to give dates and schedule for the tour," media manager Nadeem Sarwar said. Pakistan has been banned from hosting international cricket tours since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore last year. Six Pakistani policemen and a van driver were killed while five Sri Lankan players were wounded.
The International Cricket Council moved matches of the 2011 World Cup away from Pakistan because of security concerns. Since the attack, Pakistan have been forced to play home series at neutral venues including matches against Australia and New Zealand.
Pakistan are scheduled to play a 'home' test series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates in October. Sarwar said the ICC and member boards were keen to help Pakistan cricket and most importantly to raise funds for flood victims. PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt told TV One" on Friday that they had asked several boards including India to play matches to raise money for flood victims. The worst floods in Pakistan's history have claimed around 1,500 lives, washed away thousands of villages and left millions homeless.