How did Pakistan fare in the sports arena in 2022

At a time when the country struggles on the economic, security, and political fronts, victories on the field, cricket in particular, bring smiles across the faces of a nation desperate for hope and stability.

It is no less than a miracle that despite a lack of training facilities, infrastructure, and funding, Pakistan's athletes performed at the highest level in 2022 and made the country proud.

Here is a recap of major events where Pakistan stood out despite all odds:

Former England footballer Michael Owen arrived in Pakistan to promote international football in the country in collaboration with Global Soccer Ventures (GSV). During his week-long tour, Owen held meetings with the country’s top leadership and participated in various football-related initiatives.

Mohammad Hafeez's all-around performance helped Lahore Qalandars win their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title as they thrashed Multan Sultans by 42 runs in the final of the event on

February 28. Batting first, Shaheen Afridi-led Qalandars first posted a sizeable total of 181 runs and then restricted defending champions Sultans to 138.

Pakistan struggled to attract visiting sides since a terror attack on the visiting Sri Lanka team’s bus in 2009. But cricket fans in Pakistan witnessed a historic moment when then T20 World Champions Australia flew in for a full series after 24 years – and into a security bubble that enveloped them throughout their sixweek stay. They clinched the Test series and the one-off T20I against Pakistan but lost the ODI series 2-1.

After losing the threematch Test series 1-0, Pakistan made an impressive comeback and defeated Australia in the ODI series 2-1. This was their first ODI series win over the Aussies in 20 years, which came on the back of some stellar performances from captain Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq.

Pakistan’s dismal performances in hockey continued as they were denied entry in the semifinals of the Asia Cup Hockey tournament by Japan at Jakarta's GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium.

Ranked 17th in the FIH ranking model, Pakistan needed to finish [at least] in the final four of the Asia Cup Hockey to be able to qualify for the Hockey World Cup 2023. However, a 3-2 defeat against Japan, followed by India’s 13-0 win over Indonesia dashed their hopes to the ground.

West Indies’ limited-over squad returned to Pakistan to complete the series they left midway in December 2021 due to the fourth wave of Covid-19.