'Karachi and Faisalabad are amongst cities that also deserve a second look'
Sunday 17 September 2017 14:13, UK
With the Independence Cup against Faf du Plessis' World XI proving a success, there is high hope that Pakistan will host further international cricket, writes Saj Sadiq…
A few months ago, talk of a team consisting of some top stars of world cricket visiting Pakistan to play not one but three games would have been considered bordering on the realms of fantasy.
Yet, last week, a squad of 14 cricketers accompanied by coaching staff arrived at Lahore's Allama Iqbal Airport to play the Independence Cup.
Given the tragic events of March 2009 when a visiting Sri Lankan team was the target of a brazen terrorist attack, the fact that another team of a similar stature would be back on Pakistani soil was nothing short of a miracle.
A miracle is what transpired with the ICC and its members finding it difficult to ignore Pakistan's desperate pleas for the restoration of international cricket, especially given the improved security situation in the country and Pakistan's dramatic victory at the 2017 Champions Trophy.
The ICC, to their immense credit, not only facilitated the organisation of the Independence Cup but also recognised the immense historical value of this achievement and duly accorded international status to these games.
The World XI came, they entertained, they won hearts and they gave the future of international cricket in Pakistan a huge boost. The three matches in Lahore saw huge crowds, great support for both teams and most importantly, there was not a single security issue.
The names of the 14 members of the World XI squad and coach Andy Flower will not be forgotten easily by the Pakistani public irrespective of whether international cricket becomes a regular feature in Pakistan or not.
What will have heartened the Pakistan Cricket Board and those behind the careful organisation of the tour by the World XI is that the visiting players came to Pakistan with big smiles on their faces and they left Pakistan with big smiles on their faces. They also left Pakistan with admiration for the cricketing fraternity and fans of the cricket-mad nation.
Many doubted the capabilities of the security services in Pakistan and the Pakistan Cricket Board to organise a trouble-free tour for Faf du Plessis and his team-mates, but what has been shown by the three-match series is that with the appropriate levels of organisation and security, international cricket can be held trouble-free in some cities within Pakistan.
The numerous statements by the World XI squad are a testament to what they felt about the love and affection accorded to them during the trip and the efficiency and competency of the security personnel. Both of these factors are sure to play an important part in the hopeful arrivals of the Sri Lanka and West Indies team who had made their visits contingent upon the success of the World XI visit.
As the euphoria of Pakistan's re-introduction to international cricket dies down a little, it will now be time for the PCB to examine how the series was conducted and to see how they can improve the arrangements further.
To start with, the ticket prices which seemed reasonable for any country where international cricket was commonplace did not appeal to the fans in Lahore who were probably unsure of the success of this series.
Therefore, contrary to forecasts and without taking away from the enthusiasm of Pakistanis for the game, the Gaddafi Stadium was not filled to the brim. This is something the PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi admitted to the media and must be a consideration for future series to be played in the country.
While the term "presidential security" is one that would have given the visiting players comfort, there are other options which could at least make it less stifling and more hospitable for international players.
The beauty of international tours for many players is the ability to soak in the local culture and while being driven around in a traditional rickshaw at the Gaddafi Stadium was a great gesture, it can never beat the pleasure of strolling around some of the city's quaint and historical landmarks.
Lahore was a great venue for holding these games and showed the world that the same city which experienced so much pain in the previous years could now celebrate cricket in the most Pakistani of ways. But one cannot forget the immense role of the other major centres of Pakistan cricket which have produced some epic encounters in the past.
Karachi and Faisalabad are amongst cities that also deserve a second look and if there is to be a 'peace' dividend of sorts from the recent goodwill for Pakistan cricket, then other major venues must also benefit for the sake of cricket in the country.
The effect of seeing local heroes taking on international stars in closely-fought games is one that has been emphasised by all current and former Pakistan players.
While Pakistan have remained hugely competitive at the international level, there is a firm belief that new talent is not readily coming through the pipeline due to what Wasim Akram recently described as lack of passion for the game amongst the youngsters in the country.
Karachi and Faisalabad are amongst cities that also deserve a second look and if there is to be a 'peace' dividend of sorts from the recent goodwill for Pakistan cricket, then other major venues must also benefit for the sake of cricket in the country.
The advent of international games at home is sure to help in this aspect in the same way it inspired cricketing greats such as Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis in the past.
The term baby-steps has been used during and after the recently concluded matches in Lahore and that is exactly what this series was. The Pakistan Cricket Board has high hopes for teams to tour Pakistan but they will have to be patient as the realty is that not all Boards around the world will support them at this point.
There may be some more pain involved in convincing the likes of Australia and England to play in Pakistan but the good news is that the seeds for this eventuality have been sown.
With a little more understanding from the world community and some good fortune, one hopes that the pictures of horror of a forlorn Sri Lankan team boarding a military helicopter to escape Lahore in 2009 have now firmly been replaced by images of a smiling World XI squad in the same city and the unbridled joy of Pakistan fans in 2017, with better and happier times on their way for Pakistan cricket.
