Cameron backs cricket in Pakistan

David Cameron has backed the return of international cricket to Pakistan after discussing the fight against terrorism during summit talks at Number 10 with the country's prime minister. The British leader offered to share his nation's experiences of policing major sporting events and security plans for the London 2012 Olympic Games amid continuing doubts over the resumption of matches. No overseas side has toured Pakistan since six police officers and a driver died in an attack on a Sri Lankan team bus that also injured players and officials. Bangladesh agreed last month to play two limited-overs games in Pakistan but the plan has been put on hold due to a legal challenge. Cameron's support came in a joint statement with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani following extensive summit talks at Downing Street which covered trade, investment, security and defence. "Prime Minister Cameron pledged his support for a return to international cricket being played in Pakistan and offered to share the UK's experience in protecting large sporting events," it said on Thursday. "The visiting delegation was briefed on the UK's preparations for the Olympics on a tour of the UK's Crisis Response Centre, the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR)." The leaders also discussed progress towards a target of increasing trade between the two countries to STG2.5 billion ($A4.04 billion) a year by 2015 and on anti-poverty measures. They expressed an "unwavering commitment to work together to combat the menace of terrorism and extremism which threatens the people of both countries". And they held in-depth discussions on Afghanistan and efforts to improve Pakistan's relations with the US, which has resulted in the closure of NATO supply lines.