The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are confident that 2012 will see international cricket return to the country.

Pakistan have not played in their own country since a terrorist attack in Lahore aimed at a Sri Lankan touring team in 2009.

Despite two years without international cricket in Pakistan, the PCB chairman has claimed that Bangladesh have been invited to tour.

Zaka Ashraf said: "Even if [Bangladesh] play two or three matches, it will send positive signals to the cricketing community around the world.

"They will be meeting with top security officials of our government. We want to remove this security fear."

Pakistan will face England in three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games in the New Year in a series held in the United Arab Emirates.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill