In May 2015, when Zimbabwe came to Pakistan in a hastily arranged visit unsanctioned by the ICC and having considerable security concerns, it felt that it would still be a one off event and lot still needed to be desired from the hosts to regain confidence in hosting international sport let alone cricket. Amidst tight security, the five limited overs games were managed in sweltering conditions as many still took to stadiums to fill up Gaddafi waiting for long hours.After it was done,the wait continued. It looked like an eternity.
So when the PSL Cup final was held despite concerns to call it off earlier in the year considering Lahore’s recent winter’s threats and incidents ,it came to many as a surprise. It was a lacklustre final with Quetta Gladiators severely impaired by its contingent lacking their first tier foreigners. It was well attended and without any glitch and set the ball rolling for further strengthening of measures.PSL 3 was the 1st target for more games, with a possible Lahore /Karachi weekend of double headers.
With the Greenshirts winning the champions trophy against the odds, it also enhanced the need to be associated with more cricket in the western half of the subcontinent.It was a bold move by the iCC to send a group of current international players something PCB had stubbornly put its foot down on . The South Africans led the way with 5.Led by Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel, Hashim Amla,David Miller and Imran Tahir paved the way for others to join in. A 14 man squad landed in Lahore in the early hours of Monday morning to a rousing reception albeit tight security.The battle was already half won.
What transpired in that week were three interesting T20 games featuring the current champions of ODI cricket and a group of talented t20 World individuals. The cricket was again well attended despite ticket issues, long queues and the constant fear of the unknown.The whole city was in shutdown mode as transport was suspended. It caused great problems and inconvenience for the everyday lives of many,but it was accepted and acknowledged for the rebirth of the game.Sports triumphed in the end but the public were its crown jewels.
More than the Greenshirts display of cricketing skills, it was their amicable hosting of the event that was on display.It was going to be a classic Gaddafi pitch with the batsmen scoring huge totals.Babar Azam the hometown hero starred in the series with all round range of strokes.His 86 in the opener set the tone for the first win by the hosts .A resident of Gulberg, where Gaddafi is situated,he produced the knocks that would be pleasing for any crowd.
The World 11 were no pushovers though.In the second game,Thisara Perera knocked a huge cameo which set the chase alive alongside a famous Protean who shall long be remembered in Gaddafi folklore even though he was playing in the opposition.Hashim Amla was scintillating in his knock of 72 not out. The series had some spice at 1-1. It was a first t20 loss for Pakistan at the Gaddafi.Ahmad Shahzad starred in the final game regaining some form with an 89 to his credit as the hosts took the series with a much comfortable winning margin having restricted the World 11 to 150/8, chasing 184.Babar took the man of the series award however the men of the series were those World 11 players who came and presented their skills finally to a cricket thirsty nation.Faf and his men left just like they came, as heroes fully entertained in their short Pakistani stay.
Politics divides.Sports Unite.It’s become an acceptable theme universally.The NFL players in their responses to a divide are a recent example.Faf and co. have paved the way for many to join PSL 3,for other teams to tour later in the year or some to re consider their future engagements.When all is said and done,the World took Pakistan by storm and its just the start of something much more comfortable and breezier than an Abu Dhabi sand storm.
Sportsfan Says 