Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is ready to welcome Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, who is touring them for a T20I game on October 29. With this, international cricket in Pakistan will resume after missing almost eight years.

A terrorist attack happened on Sri Lanka’s team bus in 2009 on their way to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, which banned cricket in Pakistan. Since then, Only Zimbabwe has visited them in 2015. However, ICC decided to turn things around and sent their World XI for a three-match T20I series in September.

Hafeez thanked the Sri Lankan team and said “We would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts and welcome them. Everyone is excited to have them back in Pakistan. The World XI visit was one of the first step towards reviving cricket in Pakistan. With Sri Lanka coming it will be a great moment for Pakistan cricket. After this visit, I hope more teams will come to Pakistan. We want to host them with lot of hospitality. It will be a great game god willing.”

The 37-year-old made his T20I comeback during the first encounter between same opponents in Abu Dhabi. He played a significant role in Pakistan’s win in the first T20I game and now they are 1-0 up with two more games to go.

Hafeez further added “It’s all about playing your role for the team. I wasn’t thinking that this was my comeback to the side or anything like that. I wasn’t there in the last series. Just wanted to play my role. We are playing really well and Pakistan’s future is looking good as everyone is coming up with important performances.”

The third T20I encounter will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on October 29.