Revival of International Cricket in Pakistan

Revival of International Cricket in Pakistan and successful Domestic T-20 Tournament

After the famous attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in March 2009, the doors of international cricket in Pakistan remain closed and since then cricket fans have been eagerly waiting for the sport to return to the country.

After the successful T-20 Domestic tournament in Qadafi Stadium Lahore, once again this matter comes to fans mind and they want revival of International cricket in Pakistan.

First of all let’s talk about the Faisal Bank National T-20 Cricket Tournament. Thousand of spectators daily visited to Qadafi Stadium Lahore for the live action of their national heroes and cricket. Interesting, sensational and nerves breaking matches not only gave smile but also provided entertainment to the real fans of cricket. The excitement was on top. Cricket is most popular sport in Pakistan although Hockey is our national sport and its popularity is not affected by Match Fixing Scandal or the criticism on Pakistan Cricket Board. The true example of the above statement was the record presence of cricket fans in stadium at Lahore. Final was between Karachi and Lahore, and may be it was so that thousand of fans came there to support their home team Lahore. But it is a fact that during the seven days of tournament a huge number of spectators daily visited stadium which shows the passion for the cricket among Pakistanis. They love cricket and they want to enjoy it in any way. Any how that tournament was excellent in which first time ever the home team got the title.

Lahore Lions picked the trophy, while Karachi dolphins were the runner-up. Record number of people were also present outside the cricket stadium who could not watch the live action due the house full inside. Sialkot which was the 5 time champion was unable to play even semi-final of the tournament. Another good team of Faisalabad was also not in semi-s. Shoaib Akhtar’s Islamabad and Rawalpindi were other two teams who qualified for the semi-finals.

In Final, Lahore won the toss and decided to bat first which was a really good decision and Lion was posted 221 run for 3 on the board. Opener Nasir Jamshaid scored 68, Ahmad Shahzad 43 along the best ever inning of Abdul Razaq of 71 not out. Shahid Afridi and Azam Hussain of Karachi got 1 wicket each. In reply Karachi made 184 all out. Shahid Afridi 48, Shahzeb Hassan 33 and Fawad Aalam 22 were the top scorers. Wahab Riaz got 3, Shabbir Ahmad & Aziz shared 2, 2 wickets. Karachi Dolphins was second time runner up.

Shahzeb Hassan was announced best batsman, Muhammad Yousaf best fielder, Wahab Riaz best bowler (10 wickets) and Adnan Akmal was announced best wicket keeper of the tournament.

The people of Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket Board gave a strong message to the cricket world that we can give the jam packed cricket stadium when the international cricket teams come to Pakistan and we want revival of International Cricket in Pakistan. Pakistan and Pakistani people are ready to host any cricket nation and they hope that International Cricket Council will take positive step to start cricket in Pakistani’s grounds.