The Pakistan Cricket Board strongly favours England's return to India to play the two-match series after the Mumbai attacks.

The PCB believes it "would give out positive signals for cricket in the subcontinent".

PCB Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf also felt the move would ease the way for the Indians to take a positive decision on playing Pakistan next year.

"If England returns despite the carnage caused by the Mumbai attacks it would give out positive signals for cricket in the subcontinent. We feel it will also go a long way in India playing us," he said.

After the Mumbai attacks that killed over 180 people the England team returned home without playing their final two one-dayers.

But they are now close to confirming their return for two Test matches.

Altaf said he was confident of a lot of positive happening if England returned to India.

"I fully support the statement of England captain Kevin Pietersen that we can't let cowards run cricket. These terrorists who caused so much carnage in Mumbai have to be given out a clear message that people in the region want to live a normal life," he said.

Altaf said India was one of the most influential forces in international cricket now and if they hosted England and then toured Pakistan it would clear the security doubts surrounding cricket in the subcontinent. India has to take the lead now.