Pakistan end cricket isolation
Match marks return of the Sri Lankan team eight years after they were attacked in Lahore |
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the third and final Twenty20 international in Lahore yesterday, taking the three-match series 3-0.
The match marks the return of the Sri Lankan team to Pakistan eight years after their team bus was attacked in the same city, forcing the suspension of international cricket in the terror-hit country. Pakistan rode on Shoaib Malek’s 24-ball 51 to post a challenging 180-3 before restricting Sri Lanka to 144-9 in 20 overs.
Pakistan, sent in to bat, posted a challenging 180 for three in the third and final Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka. Shoaib Malek was the top scorer with 51 while Umar Amin (45) and Babar Azam (34 not out) were the other main contributors.
The match marks the return of the Sri Lankan team to Pakistan eight years after they were attacked in Lahore, forcing the suspension of international cricket in the country. Thousands of joyous fans turned up at the Gaddafi Stadium to welcome back the Lankan team on their first visit to the country since they were ambushed by gunmen in a deadly attack in 2009.
The stadium was filled to its 25,000 capacity with fans carrying placards reading “Welcome back Sri Lankan Lions” amid stringent security measures put in place for the third and final Twenty20 international between the teams.
Spectators, who were driven to the stadium in buses, were screened with metal detectors as they passed through five security checkpoints.
In addition to armed military personnel lining the team’s route from the hotel to the stadium, and with air and camera surveillance in place, thousands of security officials were also deployed around the stadium. “I am not bothered about all this [security], what matters to me is that I will be watching an international match,” said 18-year-old student Idrees Abbas.
Pakistan have been playing its “home” matches in the United Arab Emirates since 2009 but have been lobbying for international tours, insisting it is now safe for visiting teams.
Forgettable tragedy
“Eight or nine years ago there was a tragedy which we wish to forget and this is a beginning of that journey of moving on,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi said.
“This is historic because it marks the beginning of a new era of international cricket at home. This sends a big signal to the rest of the cricketing nations that Pakistan is ready to host international cricket.”
“You deserve to enjoy good cricket played in your country,” said Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumpathipala, who last came to Pakistan to watch his country beat Australia in the World Cup final at the same venue in 1996. Sumpathipala said SLC saw the PCB as a key ally in the cricket world, especially in the Asian region. “If Pakistan is weak in cricket, the whole of Asia is going to be weaker and that makes world cricket weaker and weak. “