Karachi, Dec. 27 : As the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka got a green signal from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director General, Javed Miandad went into a gratitude overdrive to thank Sri Lanka for saving the cricket starved country from being pushed to the brink of isolation in the international cricket arena. Showing his pleasure over Sri Lanka's positive response to the invitation of the PCB, Miandad said: "We will remember this gesture for a long time to come and let me assure you that Pakistan will be pleased to return the favour whenever Sri Lanka needed us in the future."

Miandad has urged cricket fans to welcome the Sri Lankan players and fill the stadiums to capacity.

"I will request fans to welcome the Sri Lankan players warmly and come in huge numbers during the series," the News quoted Miandad, as saying.

Miandad also disclosed the role of diplomatic channels in making the series realty.

"We are very thankful for the role played by our High Commissioner in Colombo. He talked to the (Sri Lankan) Foreign Minister and in the end a positive outcome was achieved," he said.

Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to fill in the gap created by the cancellation of the Indian tour. However, the hastily arranged series soon ran into trouble when the interim committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was disbanded and its chief Arjuna Rantaunga was sacked.

Miandad expressed that the series would be a huge success and it will send a message to the world that Pakistan is safe for players and sporting activities.

"We must give the message to world that we are a peace-loving people. We want sports to be played here and want to fight off the terrorists by not succumbing to them," he said. (ANI)