After missing international cricket for almost a decade, the cricket-obsessed fans of Pakistan were served yet another masterclass by Sarfraz Ahmed & Co. in Lahore as Pakistan’s cricket team thrashed Sri Lanka by 36 runs to whitewash the Islanders in the three-match series.
Riding on veteran Shoaib Malik’s quickfire 51 off just 24 balls and another brilliant bowling display, Pakistan ensured that the fans return home with a smile on their pace as the country hosted a much-awaited international cricket fixture on home soil after being isolated by international teams since 2009 due to security risks. Batting first, the hosts put up a commanding 180 for 3 in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, the visitors could only manage 144 for 9.
The fans looked delighted and so were the players after playing in front of the home crowd. Speaking at the post-match press-conference, Malik, who even after having enough experience of playing in Pakistan, could not contain his excitement, as he said:
“When you play before [at] your own ground, when you enter the ground you feel too much happiness and you can’t describe that feeling.”
“I am blessed that my comeback also came here in Lahore. We have sent a good message across the world, the team which was attacked (came) and it’s a positive signal. The kind of hospitality they got was tremendous. Congratulations to the whole nation,” added Malik who was adjudged both the man of the match and man of the series.
The win, meanwhile, extended Pakistan’s impressive run in limited-overs cricket in the last few months. Following the historic triumph in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan defeated a World XI side in Lahore before blanking Sri Lanka in ODI’s as well as the recently-concluded T20I series.
Speaking about that, Malik said:
“Consistency is the main thing. You select the right talent and then back them with consistent chances. The selection committee is giving consistent chances.
“Spots are not fixed in the eleven but the squad is more or less the same. This team has unity and the boys are doing well, they back each other and even lift the seniors as well,” he added.
The veteran batsman further insisted that he still has a lot of passion for donning the Pakistan jersey before expressing his desire to win a World Cup.
“That’s why I come to the ground every morning,” he said. “We don’t know about tomorrow but the goal is to win and a World Cup is missing from my honour. I don’t have words to show my desire but I request (you) to pray for me.”
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