ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (DNA): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday in a letter to the President of Zimbabwe thanked him for sending its national cricket team on Pakistan tour and helping the revival of international cricket in the country.”The government and people of Pakistan are grateful to you for your leadership, vision and solidarity with Pakistan and Pakistani cricket for helping make this entertaining cricket contest a reality,” the Prime Minister said in a letter to President Robert Mugabe.

He said the recent tour of the Zimbabwe team was a resounding success and it was for the first time in six years that Pakistani fans were able to watch their team play on Pakistani soil.

It was also the first time for some Pakistani cricketers to play international cricket on a home ground and before a home crowd.

He mentioned the tremendous enthusiasm of the Pakistani fans who packed the stadium in all the matches, waving the flags of Pakistan and Zimbabwe, besides carrying banners thanking Zimbabwe for sending its team.

The Prime Minister said the successful series has now paved the way for Pakistan to host other international teams and to be reintegrated into the mainstream of international cricket.

“The role that Zimbabwe played in making that happen will never be forgotten,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister extended his appreciation and gratitude to the Zimbabwean Cricket Board for organising this tour and going ahead with it despite some last minute hitches. DNA