Internationals set to return to Pakistan

Top-level international cricket looks set to be played in Pakistan for the first time in over six years with Zimbabwe pencilled in for a short tour in May.

Test-playing nations have refused to play in Pakistan since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, killing six local policemen and two civilians.

Several members of the Sri Lankan team were also injured in the attack, and Pakistan have since been forced to play their 'home' matches in the United Arab Emirates.

But Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan says he had been encouraged by discussions with Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Wilson Manase.

Pending a security assessment, Khan said Zimbabwe will play a series of matches in Pakistan next month.

"Zimbabwe will visit Pakistan from mid-May for a one-week tour," Khan said.

"(Manase) told me they are coming and they are coming with their full team but (just) for a week.

"They will send a security team to assess the situation, following which they will confirm the tour.

"So they will come in the middle of May and our efforts will be to host matches in Lahore and Karachi."

The PCB added that should the International Cricket Council decide against sending neutral umpires for the series due to security fears, they had been granted permission to use officials from Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

"We have a special dispensation from them to appoint Pakistani and Zimbabwean umpires and the matches will be of international status," said PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed.

While Afghanistan and Kenya have both played matches in Pakistan in recent years, Zimbabwe would be the first Test-playing nation to play there since the 2009 attack.

Recent efforts to revive the international game in Pakistan have been scuppered by fears of further attacks on visiting teams.

Bangladesh twice pulled out of a scheduled tour in 2012 due to security concerns, while Ireland's proposed tour last year was cancelled after a terror attack on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport just months before the matches were scheduled to be played.

The PCB said they are also in talks with associate nations Netherlands, Ireland and Nepal to tour Pakistan in the near future.