It has been more than eight years since the terrorists ambushed the Sri Lankan team bus which was on its way to the Gadaffi Stadium for the third day’s play of the Test, but former Pakistan captain remembers everything quite vividly.
The attacks condemned Pakistan cricket to perhaps its lowest point, as no team was willing to visit them citing security reasons. Barring Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, not a single international team has visited Pakistan since the 2009 attacks, and as a result, not only the cricket board but the players and fans have also suffered. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been compelled to adopt the United Arab Emirates as the home venue, the fans have been deprived of international cricket for close to a decade.
However, if everything goes well in the coming days, international cricket can soon return to the country. The effort of bringing back international cricket will start next week when a World XI side will take on Pakistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, and Butt hoped it would herald a new era in Pakistan cricket.
“I remember that Test vividly because on day two we were replying to a 600-plus Sri Lankan total and I had a good opening partnership of 110 with Khurram Manzoor but in the last over of the day I was run out for 48 in a disappointing manner,” Butt told AFP.
“The next day we had to continue our innings so in the morning we set off from the hotel for play but after a few minutes the bus changed its route, and we returned to the hotel. Later we were told about the incident, that was really shocking,” he added.
He further said: “Those events changed the whole scene of Pakistan cricket and the isolation has impacted a great deal with both players and fans deprived of international cricket, but I hope the efforts of the PCB and improved security will end this isolation.”
“Those were heartbreaking circumstances,” Butt said. “It’s a wonderful feeling when you play before your home crowd, and Pakistan’s crowds stand out in top three in the world, so finally it’s coming back, and everyone is happy.”
The World XI side, which has been assembled by former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower, will be led by South African skipper Faf du Plessis. The players from as many as seven nations will be the part of it.
If the three-match series goes well, then it will pave the way for Sri Lanka’s visit to Pakistan for one Twenty20 international next month and another three T20s against the West Indies in November.
Butt himself has endured a torrid time in the last seven years. Just a year after the attack, he was found guilty of spot-fixing along with Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. He was convicted of spot-fixing in 2011 and was banned for ten years by the ICC. However, while Amir returned to international cricket in December 2015, Butt and Asif have not been considered for national selection so far.
“I have overcome that bad phase and now doing my best in domestic matches to regain my place in the Pakistan team,” said Butt. “I have full faith in my abilities and hard work and hope my sufferings also end sooner than later.”