Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes a professional Twenty20 league in Pakistan would attract foreign players and pave the way for the return of international cricket to the country.

Teams are refusing to tour Pakistan because of fears about security but Akhtar thinks a competition along the lines of the Indian Premier League could help solve the problem.

“I know there are many wealthy people in Pakistan who could organise such an event and it will help attract foreign players toward Pakistan,” said Akhtar. “If a Pakistan Premier League meets success I am sure international cricket will return to Pakistan.”

Pakistan will end 2008 without playing a Test match after Australia postponed their tour in March and the Champions Trophy was also deferred for a year in September.

The next month's scheduled tour of India is also in doubt — especially after Pakistan-India relations became increasingly tense in the wake of last month's terror attacks in Mumbai that killed nearly 200 people.

“It's bad times but Pakistan is a safe heaven [to play cricket],” said Akhtar.