Today, 12th September 2017, marks a big day not just in the history of Pakistan cricket, but also in the history of world cricket. While many of this decade’s top cricketers haven’t got a chance to play in Pakistan, a majority of Pakistani players themselves haven’t played international cricket at home.
On 3rd March 2009, the Sri Lankan team on tour to Pakistan was travelling to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore when they were attacked by 12 gunmen near the stadium. The attack left seven Sri Lankan cricketers injured, six Pakistan policemen and two civilians dead.
Since then, international cricket has not been played in this cricket crazy nation and Pakistan adopted UAE as their new home for all home series. Although UAE gave Pakistan all the support needed, I’m sure players would have been eagerly waiting for the day they would get to play in their own country. (Only Zimbabwe & Afghanistan agreed on touring Pakistan since 2009).
The time has come to bring cricket back to Pakistan: The Independence Cup – three T20s between 12th and 15th September 2017.
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Super League took place in UAE, where it has been taking place since its inception. Several number of foreign players were a part of the league until PSL announced that the final will be played in Lahore.
Even though many big names from the final dropped out, the game was not called off. International players brought in included Anamul Haque, Sean Ervine, Morne van Wyk, Rayad Emrit, Dawid Malan, Marlon Samuels, Daren Sammy & Chris Jordan.
While the ICC and PCB have been trying over the years to schedule an international tour to Pakistan, plans have always fallen through citing security concerns. A tour was finalized and it wasn’t a single country that agreed to tour Pakistan. The Independence Cup includes ICC’s World XI touring the country for a series of 3 T20s.
The World XI team is going to be led by Faf du Plessis (South Africa captain), and security has been beefed up for this series, as the players have already arrived in Pakistan. There is a four-level security plan deployed around the stadium, with over 6,000 police officials performing duties.
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Also, a shuttle service has been arranged for fans who will be wanting to make their way to the ground for these three games. The World XI players agreed to this tour as they were happy with the security arrangements and if this series goes well, we may also see a Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan happening once again.
This is the first time most Pakistan players in the squad will be playing an international game at home so it will be a very emotional moment for many playing the series. While fans are delighted to see cricket in Pakistan, they have also expressed their desire of seeing the Kohli’s and Dhoni’s playing in Pakistan, as no Indians are a part of the squad.
Pakistan Squad:
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Aamer Yamin, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Sohail Khan, Usman Khan.
World XI Squad:
- Faf du Plessis (c) – South Africa
- Hashim Amla – South Africa
- Samuel Badree – West Indies
- George Bailey – Australia
- Paul Collingwood – England
- Ben Cutting – Australia
- Grant Elliott – New Zealand
- Imran Tahir – South Africa
- Morne Morkel – South Africa
- David Miller – South Africa
- Tim Paine – Australia
- Thisara Perera – Sri Lanka
- Daren Sammy – West Indies
- Tamim Iqbal – Bangladesh
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