Pakistan Cricket Board buys 4 bulletproof buses to ensure safety of teams touring the country

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has bought four bulletproof buses to convince other cricket playing nations to shed security concerns and tour the country. Apart from Zimbabwe's tour to the country in 2015, Pakistan has not seen any foreign teams visiting them since 2009, when 12 gunmen in Lahore attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers, injuring six players. Six security personnel as well as two civilians were also killed in the attack.

Since then, Pakistan cricket authorities have struggled to convince teams to tour the country. The Asian team have been playing their home matches at neutral venues, with the United Arab Emirates being their base for some years now.

"We have bought these four Coaster buses as part of our efforts to revive International cricket in the country. There will be high expectations from teams willing to visit Pakistan and we want to ensure that we provide them with the best possible arrangements," a PCB spokesman told ESPNCricinfo.

"Having these bulletproof vehicles would play a major part in convincing teams about security arrangements," he added.

The PCB's finances have been badly affected during this period, especially as they have been missing out on playing bilateral series against India. As a result of this, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to set up a special fund for Pakistan to compensate for the heavy losses in revenue incurred by the board.

According to the spokesman, the PCB wanted to host the final of the Pakistan Super League, the inaugural edition of which was held in the UAE earlier this year. However, the plans fell through.

"We have to have discussions with the overseas players about their safety and security and I think this new addition in our security facilities will definitely give us an edge. Our ultimate goal is to revive International cricket, and we are doing our best to make sure we can", the spokesman added.