Rameez Raza Says Credit To Pakistan for Bringing Back Cricket To The Country

Sep 8, 2017 at 6:21 PM

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Rameez Raza Says Credit To Pakistan for Bringing Back Cricket To The Country

Former Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja feels that the return of cricket to Pakistan with the Independence Cup being scheduled for later in the month has ensured that “cricketing fraternity will not let Pakistan left behind.”

Except a brief limited overs series featuring African minnows Zimbabwe in 2015, no team has traveled to the nation ever since the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus which left several players injured and many other officials wounded in the mishap. Nearly after nine years after that incident which happened in Lahore, the same Gaddafi Stadium.

The World XI side, led by Faf du Plessis, will visit the country for a three match T20I series later in the month. Raja said that he is hopeful of the fact that the World XI series will be a doorway for the beginning for other teams to visit the previously boycotted country.

“The tour by the World XI will hopefully lead to resumption of a regular international cricket calendar in Pakistan,” Raja wrote. “Credit must go to the players and the ICC for braving perceptions and possible personal pleadings by family and friends to look at the larger picture. The larger picture being – you need us, we need you. That is the only essential for cricket to survive.”

The unfortunate incident in 2009 left the country in disarray as no country dared to tour Pakistan.

“With the passage of time, cricketing wilderness set in across the country. It affected the national psyche and perceptions about Pakistan as a safe country for cricket grew murky. But naturally, it gave way to an emotional and economic meltdown.”

Cricket in the country was revived to some extent when minnows Zimbabwe agreed to play five matches in the country shedding all the fears. Then the PCB was able to successfully hold the PSL final this year which saw many international cricketers traveling to Lahore.

“The tour by the Zimbabwe team in 2015 and the successful final of the PSL this year at Lahore were fledgling signs that the cricketing world was opening up to Pakistan again. The PSL exposed the international fraternity to the frustration and helplessness of the Pakistan players, especially the young apprentices, who were being wronged by a situation which was neither of their choice nor their making.”

The former Pakistan skipper also feels that Pakistan has helped themselves by proving their mettle against top class countries and the most recent being the Champions Trophy triumph beating arch-rivals India by a huge margin. They were done and dusted after losing the opening game to same opponents but bounced back strongly to take the tournament. They were also No.1 in Test for a brief period but was later overtaken by India.

“Pakistan made a strong case for bringing world cricket back home by playing impressively out of home. Wins in the UAE, rising to No.1 in Tests, two successful editions of the PSL, and a frustrating-to-a-magical run at the ICC Champions Trophy.”

“Pakistan cricket too will soon be reaping the benefits of its hard slog over the past eight years.”

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