It has been long since we used to cheer for our cricketing super stars in our own stadiums, holding play cards of legends like, Waseem Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoib Akhter, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi and chanting slogans “jeetay ga bhyi jeetay ga, Pakistan jeetay ga.” One, who has experienced the flavor of watching his super stars performing in the field in front of him, can better understand the twinge of being deprived of this blessing for more than six years.
But the long wait is now over, as the arrival news of Zimbabwe Cricket Team has widened the smiles on the faces of Cricket lovers. They feel triumphant and jubilant.
After seeing the long queues outside Gaddafi stadium for tickets, one can easily gauge the excitement and thrill of return of cricket to Pakistan.
“It is a good omen; it shows that the cricket craze in Pakistani nation has not died or rusted.” A PCB official said.
Commenting about the upcoming event, Sarfaraz Nawaz the fiery fast bowler said “The arrival of African team to Pakistan after six years of cricketing drought will bring a lot of positivity and passion in cricket fans, as well as it is a ray of hope for Pakistan Cricket.” It will help to resume International cricket in the country, former pace man added.
The tragic episode in the history of Pakistan cricket, the attack on Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, had dashed all the hopes of Pakistan Cricket fans to ground. The Sri Lankan Team left the country same day, the international cricket departed along with them.
After this heartrending incident, not only Pakistan cricket fans were deprived of cricketing fiesta in the country for six years, also Pakistan was stripped of its right to host the 2011 World Cup and there has been no international cricket in the country since. For the last four years, Pakistan has been playing their ‘home’ series mostly in the UAE.
The PCB suffered a budget deficit for years, stadiums got rusty, fans deprived. Around two dozen players including, Umer Akmal, Ahmed Shahzad, Asad Shafique, Azher
Ali, Irfan Khan and Yasir Shah made their international debut for Pakistan in this period, but are yet to play an international game in their own country.
The first drop of rain has fallen, now the ball is in PCB’s court to make the most out of it. PCB should set this tour as an example for the rest of cricketing nations to consider Pakistan as a safe place for playing. The successful hosting of this tour will add a feather in Pakistan Cricket board’s cap and can wash the “fear-factor” to some extent. Lets’ hope!
By: Ahmed Raza Rizvi
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