PCB expresses disappointment after Ireland cancels scheduled tour to Pak

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly expressed its disappointment after Ireland cancelled a scheduled tour for a series in Pakistan following a militant attack on Karachi Airport that left 37 people dead.

A PCB spokesman said that arrangements for a three-match series with Ireland were close to being finalised, with the matches due to be played in Lahore in the first week of September and a lot of effort had gone into convincing them, but all efforts have been in vain.

According to The Dawn, Ireland, who had been willing to tour Pakistan if they were provided with satisfactory safety and security, cancelled their plans due to the terrorist attacks in and around Karachi airport.

Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland's spokesperson Barry Chambers said that Cricket Ireland and the PCB were in advanced discussions to play three ODIs in Pakistan in September.

Chambers added that Cricket Ireland is obviously very keen to secure as many fixtures as possible against Full Members, and these proposed games would have been very beneficial ahead of the 2015 International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup.

Pakistan has not hosted an international cricket team tour to the country since 2009 when gunmen in Lahore attacked the visiting Sri Lanka team, the report added.