De Villiers says 'time is right' to play in Pakistan

South Africa's AB de Villiers hopes his involvement in this year's Pakistan Super League will encourage the world's best players to return to the country.

Pakistan have had to play most of their 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates since a 2009 attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore, although the West Indies did tour Pakistan in April last year.

But former Proteas captain De Villiers will become arguably the most high-profile overseas cricketer to play in Pakistan for a decade should he, as planned, feature in two fixtures in the PSL, a domestic Twenty20 tournament, in Lahore on March 9 and 10.

"I felt that I had this opportunity to maybe make an impact to help international cricket return to Pakistan," he told the BBC World Service's Stumped programme.

"I was reluctant to go a few years back, when we were all a bit worried, but I feel the time is right to go back there."
"I'm hoping to go there and have some fun and show the whole world that Pakistan is safe to travel to again."
"I'm sure with the tradition and the culture of cricket over there, it would be very well supported. I would love to be a part of it."