Misbah-ul-Haq calls for more help from cricket world to help revive the international game in Pakistan

Ahead of opening ODI against Sri Lanka, the new head coach says more teams must tour his country to ensure the sport's survival

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq speaking ahead of the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in Karachi on Friday. AFP

Pakistan's new head coach has urged the cricket world to help his country's efforts to revive international matches, damaged by security problems in the last decade.

Misbah-ul-Haq's request comes two days before Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in a series of three one-day internationals, the first in the country for four years, and three Twenty20 internationals.

The Sri Lanka team was attacked in Lahore in 2009 and since then most international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country, leaving Pakistan to play nearly all their home games in the UAE.

Zimbabwe was the first country to return in 2015, with Pakistan hosting the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and a World XI team since then.

The current series was hit by withdrawals of ten top Sri Lankan players over security fears but Sri Lanka's cricket board received the all-clear from the defence ministry last week.

Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne have all opted out of the tour.

"The cricket world needs to do more, not only for Pakistan but for any country where it is hit," said Misbah, under who Pakistan plays the first ODI on Friday.

The remaining two matches will also be held in Karachi on Sunday and Wednesday. The three T20s will be in Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9.

Misbah never captained any of his 56 Tests in Pakistan and he praised Sri Lanka – who arrived under heavy security – for the tour.

"I know it would have been a tough decision for Sri Lanka to tour," he said. "Pakistan is a cricket-loving country and it would be injustice to deprive them of international cricket, so I hope that the world will support us more and more."

It had been ten years since the attacks and Misbah said that he hoped more international teams would consider touring his nation and others like Pakistan. "Otherwise, the survival of cricket will be difficult."

Misbah said his team – the majority of whom will be playing an ODI at home for the first time – were excited for the match.

Only captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, and Wahab Riaz have featured in an ODI in Pakistan before.

"It's a special moment for all of us and players are excited as well as emotional, playing before their home fans and at home ground, so it's really special," Misbah said.

Pakistani security personnel stand guard outside the National Stadium in Karachi, where the opening ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is being held on Friday. AP