Twelve cricketers belonging to Afghanistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, USA and West Indies are expected to land at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport in the next day and a half. They make up the numbers for the International World XI squad which will take on Pakistan Star XI in two Twenty20 matches at the National Stadium Karachi this weekend. The matches have been arranged jointly by the Sindh Minister for Sports Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, with support from the local government in Karachi in a bid to revive international cricket in Pakistan.
After Bangladesh cancelled their tour earlier this year, over security fears, this will be the second attempt to bring fans back to the stadiums to watch international cricketers. While all of the names making up the International World XI may not be stars of their era, they have done enough to become recognizable among cricket aficionados. The make up of the Pakistan Stars XI, in comparison, does include some big names, including captain Shahid Afridi, former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik, as well as younger members of the national team Umar Akmal, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Shahzaib Hasan and bowlers Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz.
The format picked by the organizers for the event is a crowd favourite and ticket prices have been kept within an affordable range to ensure a capacity crowd. If things go according to plan, we could have two thrilling (albeit meaningless on official records) T20 matches and have the crowds roaring again.
However, having a team comprising players of yesteryear face off against local stars in a off-the-record series is not exactly the same as hosting an international ICC-recognised Test team for an official series. How, then, can the return of international cricket be turned into a reality?
Should the Pakistan Cricket Board organize similar matches and series?
Can the tours of women’s, ‘A’ and Under-19 teams help the cause?
How long will it take for Pakistani fans to be able to cheer on their side against a Test nation at home grounds?
Dawn.com invites its readers to share their opinions and views…
it is good step by Sind govt.it will cause revival of cricket in Pakistan after a long time.
It would be a great idea if it was well organized and has a strong owner willing to take responsibility for everything including security. In its current form, the idea has no strong owner – an article in this paper says PCB ahs a hands-off attitude and I think it would be too dangerous to proceed with a high profile event in this manner. We should either take everyone – local officials and the game’s governing body in PAkistan, i.e. the PCB – on board or drop the idea altogether.
agree with u Razzaq..lets just pray that this event may get good results.
Is playing only in Karachi means restoration of international cricket in PAKISTAN? There r no big names in side, ICC has got World Eleven.s name changed. Let’s be honest to us, circumstances here won’t permit anyside to visit this war torn country for another five years.
The PCB should not try to lure back international cricket to Pakistan just yet because the law and order situation has further deteriorated and if God forbid anything may happen Pakistan will lose international cricket forever.
Pakistan is not a safe place for others to visit.
Karachi is not a safe place for its own inhabitants. Every day a number of people get killed because of gangs and political wars or target killing as we call it. Then there is Taliban factor. Are we not insane in expecting international teams to come to our city? We need to sort out our problems before inviting anyone.
This seems to be a completely bad idea.
In my opinion, it is a good move and further similar moves for some time may eventually make the officials of ICC to consider towards a positive action. Remember the reason why international teams are not allowd to tour Pakistan is security and nothing else.We all know what it means.