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…

The West Indies went through because of a superior run rate over Ireland and without having completed any match in the tournament as their first match, against Australia, was also called off due to the weather in Colombo. The match between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Hambantota was also affected with both sides playing seven overs each.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) defended the scheduling saying this was the only time in the year when it was possible to have the two-yearly tournament. The tournament is being held in Sri Lanka for the first

“This was the only period available in the Future Tours Programme (FTP) this year to conduct the tournament,” an ICC spokesman said. “All the teams were aware of it.”

With the tournament under threat because of rains, what measures should the ICC take to ensure that more matches are not ruined by the weather?

Should the ICC reduce the number of other series that take place in the year of a World Cup?

One possible solution is to play the matches earlier in the day but will the ICC be willing to take that step keeping in mind broadcasters’ rights and revenues from prime time television?

The ICC should take steps to ensure that the next World T20 in Bangladesh, where they have five monsoon months, does not go the way of this one.

Today’s match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will decide which team will progress to the Super Eights and also has a chance of being affected by rain. Pakistan will be able to progress with just one point but Bangladesh might suffer if they are not given an opportunity to play.

Besides hockey, Pakistan had representation in athletics (men’s 100m and women’s 800m) as well as shooting (skeet) and swimming (men’s 100m freestyle and women’s 400m freestyle). Sprinter Liaqat Ali, despite having a better time than 15 of the 29 qualifiers, failed to qualify for the main round of the 100m sprint and was hence unable to realize his dream of sprinting alongside the likes of Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. Swimmers Anum Banday and Israr Hussain, meanwhile, were also disappointing in their heats as they failed to progress.

Skeet shooter Khurram Inam was met with disappointment when he was unable to break into the next round.

Rabia Ashiq, who runs later today, will be aiming to better her personal best and reset the national record.

Realistically, Pakistan’s only chance of bagging a medal at the London Olympics was with the hockey team. A resilient start against Spain, a good win over Argentina and an exciting fightback against South Africa had raised the hopes of the nation and brought out many a hockey fan from deep slumber. Reality checks were handed when they played hosts Great Britain and then the mighty Australians.

While the losses were very painful for fans of the Greenshirts, the ensuing backlash and relentless criticism too, was unwelcome. The on-field display showed a marked difference in the quality and preparations of both sides but it is an unfair call to lay all criticism with the players.

The organisers, who are quick to claim the responsibility when the team does well, are not so swift in taking the blame for lack of success and glory. The players have been embroiled in fiascos involving bans, fines and then re-selection into the national team after a young and inexperienced side was unable to impress at the Azlan Shah Cup.

It is imperative that the officials in the Sports Ministry and the Pakistan Olympic Association – who have on-going issues of their own – be held accountable for the deteriorating state of the national game and other sports. While high-ranking officials and big corporations pump money into cricket and make as yet futile attempts to bring international players to Pakistan, there remains little interest to revive the status of hockey and other sports.

What steps should the government take to improve the state of the national game?

Will complete overhauls of managements and sports bodies help?

Should the players be the only ones blamed for losses?

Is it right to blame the players for the hockey losses in the Olympic Games?

Dawn.com invites its readers to share their opinions and suggestions…

As if this humiliation wasn’t enough to worry the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) at home, eight of Pakistan’s top players have signed up with the rebel World Series Hockey league to be played in India. By making this decision, these players have effectively shown a preference for the unofficial league over representing Pakistan. The WSH has not been recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the PHF has said it will ban any players who are part of the league.

Meanwhile, the players have come out and defended their decision by saying that since the PHF has been overlooking them for national selection and the lack of decent earnings at home, they were forced to sign up for the league. Veterans like Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Zeeshan Ashraf and Salman Akbar are among the players who have opted to participate in WSH. Another reason for their rebellious move is their inability to participate in domestic hockey tournaments as they are above the age limit of 30.

Is the decision taken by the players a selfish one or is the PHF to be blamed for this move?

Can the PHF and the players still reach a point reconciliation for the sake of national hockey?

Will this lead the national game further into a downward spiral or will this give a chance to young players to prove themselves?

Dawn.com invites its readers to give their views and suggestions.

Pundits say Federer will not only break Sampras’s record, he will also put it out of anyone else’s reach. Does the fact that R-Fed has won all four grand slam titles make him the greatest ever? Will he be able to create a record of grand slam titles that may never be broken?

A number of former hockey stars, including Sohail Abbas, Waseem Ahmed, Zeeshan Ashraf were reintroduced to the side in a bid to strengthen the side and improve its performance. While the move resulted in better showing, it highlighted the fact that the young crop of hockey players have failed to grind out wins.

Do you think the Pakistan Hockey Federation should keep the experienced, out-of-retirement players (Sohail Abbas, Waseem Ahmed) in the side or continue promoting young players in order a build a team for the future?