Law gives thumbs up to Pakistan security

West Indies' Australian coach Stuart Law has given Pakistan the thumbs up to host top-flight international cricket again after a successful T20 series wrapped up on Tuesday.

Despite the Windies slumping to a 3-0 T20 International series loss in Karachi on Tuesday, Law has been impressed with the security arrangements and detail.

"The security has been outstanding, we haven't seen any issues, any incidences and anything that may arose was communicated to us very well," said the former Test batsman, as Karachi hosted its first international games in nine years.

Security in Pakistan has been foreign teams' major concern for the last nine years since terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus at Lahore.

Since then the Pakistan Cricket Board has played their "home" matches in the United Arab Emirates, where Australia are expected to tour later this year – likely in September or October – for a Test series.

Lahore organised last year's Pakistan Super League final and two playoffs this year in which some foreign players from countries like Australia and England refused to represent their franchises due to security concerns.

But the PSL final was still staged in Karachi last month, when around 8,000 security personnel were used to offer presidential-like security of the teams. The teams drove to the ground with dozens of armed guards in vehicles surrounding the players' buses.

It proved a perfect dress rehearsal for Karachi to host West Indies for three days.

Several top players were missing from the West Indies squad, but that didn't dampen the spirits of Karachiites as more than 70,000 spectators watched the three matches at the National Stadium over the three days.

Spectators had to walk around a mile to reach the stadium after at least three security checkpoints.

"Look it's a bit daunting if you are not used to the (intense security) setup," Law said. "I'm not saying that (the West Indies tour) has open the floodgates and everyone come rushing back. Still people will have reservations, but from what I've seen here it's more than adequate, that's for sure."

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed says foreign teams should stop raising security concerns about his country's capabilities to host international cricket matches.

"I don't think now there's any excuse left with the (foreign) teams not to tour Pakistan," Ahmed told reporters. 

"The whole world has seen today. The way people have come to the ground, it proves now international cricket can be staged in Pakistan."

"Karachi has won (people's) hearts. I want to say that lot of people are hurt with no cricket in Pakistan, but we will try our best to have more."

The hosts produced another imperious performance to beat the West Indies by eight wickets in the series finale on Tuesday.

The Windies fared better with the bat compared with the first two matches, reaching 6-153 in their 20 overs after winning the toss. Opener Andre Fletcher scored a 43-ball 52 - his team's only half-century on this tour.

It was not enough, however, as Pakistan got to the total comfortably, with opener Babar Azam scoring a rapid 40-ball 51.

The hosts raced to 61 in the sixth over with left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman smashing two sixes and six boundaries in his 17-ball 40.

"When I first took over the captaincy, (coach) Mickey Arthur told me that we should become consistent. We are giving the boys a consistent run in the team and so we are flourishing," said Sarfraz.

The victory on Tuesday also strengthened Pakistan's position at the top of the world T20 rankings, with a four-point lead over second-placed Australia.

Since Sarfraz took over as skipper in September 2016, Pakistan have notched up series wins over England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and a World XI side.

- with AFP