KARACHI, May 24 (Reuters) - Afghanistan will become the first foreign team to play an international match in Pakistan on Wednesday since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, killing seven people.
Pakistan 'A' host Afghanistan in a three-match one-day series with matches in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad.
Captain Nawroz Mangal said he hoped Afghanistan's visit would encourage other teams to tour Pakistan again.
"For us it is a great opportunity to play against a full test country. It is the first full series for us and it is very significant for our cricket," Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal told Reuters from Islamabad.
"For us to play even against the Pakistan second string side is going to be a challenging experience.
"We hope this series will also bring good luck for Pakistan cricket and teams will come here putting aside their security concerns."
Six Pakistani policemen and a driver were killed in the attack in March 2009 while five Sri Lankan players were also wounded in the team bus which came under attack near the Gaddafi stadium.
Since then foreign teams have refused to play in Pakistan and on Tuesday Sri Lanka also turned down an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board to play a series in the country later this year.
Sri Lankan cricket officials instead have offered to host the series at home or play at neutral venues saying the security situation still needed to improve further.
Pakistan has been forced to play its home series at neutral venues, mainly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan qualified for the World Twenty20 this year and are trying to gain full one-day international status.
Mangal urged the International Cricket Council to give more playing opportunities to his country against full test nations.
"That is the only way to improve our cricket," he said.
Pakistan 'A' host Afghanistan in a three-match one-day series with matches in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad.
Captain Nawroz Mangal said he hoped Afghanistan's visit would encourage other teams to tour Pakistan again.
"For us it is a great opportunity to play against a full test country. It is the first full series for us and it is very significant for our cricket," Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal told Reuters from Islamabad.
"For us to play even against the Pakistan second string side is going to be a challenging experience.
"We hope this series will also bring good luck for Pakistan cricket and teams will come here putting aside their security concerns."
Six Pakistani policemen and a driver were killed in the attack in March 2009 while five Sri Lankan players were also wounded in the team bus which came under attack near the Gaddafi stadium.
Since then foreign teams have refused to play in Pakistan and on Tuesday Sri Lanka also turned down an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board to play a series in the country later this year.
Sri Lankan cricket officials instead have offered to host the series at home or play at neutral venues saying the security situation still needed to improve further.
Pakistan has been forced to play its home series at neutral venues, mainly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan qualified for the World Twenty20 this year and are trying to gain full one-day international status.
Mangal urged the International Cricket Council to give more playing opportunities to his country against full test nations.
"That is the only way to improve our cricket," he said.
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