WRAPUP 1-Cricket-Younus urges teams to visit troubled Pakistan

Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:18pm BST
 
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*Younus calls on teams to visit Pakistan

*Afridi inspires side once more

*Sangakkara says tests are still the ultimate

By John Mehaffey

LONDON, June 21 (Reuters) - Pakistan captain Younus Khan made an emotional appeal on Sunday for teams to visit his troubled nation after lifting the Twenty20 World Cup at Lord's.

A spectacular unbeaten 54 from all-rounder Shahid Afridi took Pakistan to an untroubled eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka on a sun-drenched evening before thousands of exultant supporters.

Pakistan did not play a single test last year and lost the games they were due to host at the 2011 50-over World Cup after armed militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore last March.

International matches for the forseeable future will be staged either in the host countries or at neutral venues.

"I think it was a gift for all our nation," Younus, draped in the Pakistan flag, told a news conference. "Everybody must come to Pakistan, we need a home test series. How can we attract the youngsters? Players must come to Pakistan."  Continued...

 

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