Pakistan today took a significant step towards the resumption of international cricket in the country following the successful organisation of an exhibition match between International World XI and Pakistan XI here.
An International World XI captained by former Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and featuring several former South African and West Indian Test players locked horns against a Pakistan All Stars side led by Shahid Afridi in first of the two Twenty 20s at the packed National Stadium.
Around 32,000 cricket enthusiasts turned up for the high-profile match and celebrated the opportunity of watching
the international players in action for the first time since the Sri Lanka team were attacked in 2009.
It is a great occasion for Pakistan cricket. All our players are relaxed and we are happy to be part of this match which is a ray of hope for Pakistani cricket fans,” Jayasuriya said before the match.
From the enthusiasm and joy we have seen among the people, it is really unfortunate they haven’t been able to
watch full international sides play here for the last three years,” Jayasuriya added.
After militants attacked the Sri Lankan team and killed six Pakistani policemen and a van driver apart from wounding some of the visiting players, Test playing nations have refused to play in Pakistan.
The closest to international cricket returning to Pakistan came this year in April when Bangladesh agreed to
play a one-day international and a T20 match in Lahore after much persuasion by the Pakistan cricket Board.
But even that tour petered out after the Dhaka high court issued a restraining order against the Bangladeshi cricketer touring Pakistan because of security fears.
————————-PTI