Pakistan Cricket's New Dawn (?)

3rd March, 2009 

Sri Lankan team is attacked by armed gunmen in Lahore on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium. 7 players and an umpire are injured while 8 Pakistani civilians and policemen are killed. An attack which effectively put an end to international cricket in Pakistan.

12th September, 2017 

More than eight years after the attack, Pakistan hosts a World XI team sent by ICC in the same Gaddafi stadium. Marking the end of the international exile of Pakistan as an international cricketing venue. They did host Zimbabwe earlier and the PSL final. But this was the first big step in the return of international cricket. And could be used as a stepping stone for future engagements.

Just some random thoughts after the first game.

• Eight and a half years! That’s a pretty long period. This blog did not even exist at that time!
• What a feeling it must be for the Pakistani players – many of whom would be appearing for the first time in front of their countrymen in their own country. Also first international appearance for Imran Tahir in the country of his birth.
• How did these games get international status? There are quite a few amongst the World XI ranks who would not even feature in their respective country lineups!
• This was the first live sporting action, I watched on Discovery Sport! Mostly they are showing horse races.
• Pakistan’s uniform looked more blue that green. Reminded me of the Kiwi colours during the late 90s.
• There is a thing about World XIs. This rag-tag bunch always seems to lose.
• Also kudos to the World XI players for braving it out. If things go well (fingers crossed) they would be hailed as pioneers in the days to come.

Overall a great initiative by the ICC and Pakistan Cricket. Hopefully this will herald better days for cricket and life in Pakistan.