The melting pot of Pakistan is back on the international cricket map
The peaceful conduct of the one-day international against England has raised the hopes of India agreeing to play a Test on their forthcoming tour early next year, a Pakistan Cricket Board official today said. "The Karachiites have given a good demonstration of their knowledge and love of the game. The PCB is now extremely hopeful that after the success of this match, the Indian government will have no objections on its team playing a Test here,"
PCB's General Manager-Administration, Javed Manj, said. "We are peace-loving people and want to see good cricket," was one of the banners that read during the third one-day international between Pakistan and England here at the National Stadium on Thursday.
The PCB has reasons to smile since the success of this match strengthens Karachi's claim to earn a nod from the Indian Foreign Ministry who are to give the Indian Cricket Board formal approval for playing a Test here from January 30 to February 3 next year. Not so surprisingly, the enthusiastic spectators rightly proved their words as Pakistan notched up a comfortable victory to lead the tourists 2-1 in a five-match series. England had arrived in Karachi Wednesday evening with a fear of the unknown. They had earlier refused to play a Test in the port city citing security concerns -- an excuse given by most of the leading Test playing nations. (Sourced from a report)
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Over the last few years, a lot has been made of Karachi as an international venue for sports, and not without reason. The gun-violence and terrorist activities were getting worse and Karachi was unsafe for its own people, let alone visitors. As a result, the junta of Karachi suffered.
However, in the last couple years, some normality has returned to this port city. Violence and terrorist activities have been stamped down to an extent and as a result a lot of positive vibes have been generated within the metropolis. People have started getting out of their houses even late in the evenings, and feel more secure about themselves while commuting or at work.
This, however, did not translate into the hosting of international matches rightaway. Cricket teams were wary of Karachi after the 2002 bomb blasts near the New Zealand team hotel and the Pakistan Cricket Board did little to dispel the fears. The PCB, on most occasions, was apologetic and submissive and were always willing to offer alternate options to visiting teams. They were unable to convince the other cricket boards of the improved law-and-order situation in the city and in fact the entire country.
Over the last three years, a paltry three one-day matches have been played, all by Asian teams. The test count is even worse, with only two in the past three years, again by Asian teams.
In that context, the Pakistan-England clash on December 15 was even more significant. To say it was thoroughly enjoyed by the Karachites would be an under-statement. A fresh mix of western and desi-style celebrations showed that the crowds were having a blast!
It was, perhaps, the most outstanding sporting spectacle the tour has witnessed. And the Karachi fans got exactly what they wanted - a thumping Pakistan win on a ground that has been a fortress for the Pakistani teams of the past.
With the massive success of this game, Karachi is back on the stage of world cricket in the most emphatic of fashion. The PCB has proposed a test and a one-dayer in Karachi for the Indo-Pak series at the start of next year. With such beautiful pictures from this beautiful city, being beamed right across the globe, the Indian cricket authorities would find it hard to resist the proposal.
PCB's General Manager-Administration, Javed Manj, said. "We are peace-loving people and want to see good cricket," was one of the banners that read during the third one-day international between Pakistan and England here at the National Stadium on Thursday.
The PCB has reasons to smile since the success of this match strengthens Karachi's claim to earn a nod from the Indian Foreign Ministry who are to give the Indian Cricket Board formal approval for playing a Test here from January 30 to February 3 next year. Not so surprisingly, the enthusiastic spectators rightly proved their words as Pakistan notched up a comfortable victory to lead the tourists 2-1 in a five-match series. England had arrived in Karachi Wednesday evening with a fear of the unknown. They had earlier refused to play a Test in the port city citing security concerns -- an excuse given by most of the leading Test playing nations. (Sourced from a report)
- - -
Over the last few years, a lot has been made of Karachi as an international venue for sports, and not without reason. The gun-violence and terrorist activities were getting worse and Karachi was unsafe for its own people, let alone visitors. As a result, the junta of Karachi suffered.
However, in the last couple years, some normality has returned to this port city. Violence and terrorist activities have been stamped down to an extent and as a result a lot of positive vibes have been generated within the metropolis. People have started getting out of their houses even late in the evenings, and feel more secure about themselves while commuting or at work.
This, however, did not translate into the hosting of international matches rightaway. Cricket teams were wary of Karachi after the 2002 bomb blasts near the New Zealand team hotel and the Pakistan Cricket Board did little to dispel the fears. The PCB, on most occasions, was apologetic and submissive and were always willing to offer alternate options to visiting teams. They were unable to convince the other cricket boards of the improved law-and-order situation in the city and in fact the entire country.
Over the last three years, a paltry three one-day matches have been played, all by Asian teams. The test count is even worse, with only two in the past three years, again by Asian teams.
In that context, the Pakistan-England clash on December 15 was even more significant. To say it was thoroughly enjoyed by the Karachites would be an under-statement. A fresh mix of western and desi-style celebrations showed that the crowds were having a blast!
It was, perhaps, the most outstanding sporting spectacle the tour has witnessed. And the Karachi fans got exactly what they wanted - a thumping Pakistan win on a ground that has been a fortress for the Pakistani teams of the past.
With the massive success of this game, Karachi is back on the stage of world cricket in the most emphatic of fashion. The PCB has proposed a test and a one-dayer in Karachi for the Indo-Pak series at the start of next year. With such beautiful pictures from this beautiful city, being beamed right across the globe, the Indian cricket authorities would find it hard to resist the proposal.
