Bari handed new role by PCB

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Bari has called for the return of international cricket after being named as Chief Operating Officer.

Ex-captain vows to bring international teams back to Pakistan

Former captain Wasim Bari has called for the return of international cricket to Pakistan after being named as Chief Operating Officer by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Bari, who served as chief selector as recently as 2007, succeeds Salim Altaf who was sacked last week after failing to get on with chairman Ijaz Butt. Pakistan has not hosted an international side since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in March, subsequently losing the right to host the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the 2011 World Cup as a result. "Pakistan cricket has suffered badly, but we are trying our level best to lift it and we will do it with the best of efforts," he said. "This new post is a great challenge for me. I will do my best to work for the promotion of the game in Pakistan. I like working together and with consensus, that is my principle. "My priority as COO is the promotion of cricket and also to work with the chairman on trying to convince the International Cricket Council and member boards to resume international cricket in Pakistan."