Great sportsmanship from the former West Indian skipper.
Pakistan hosted the first of three T20 games on Tuesday against a touring World XI, winning by 20 runs in a packed stadium in the eastern city of Lahore. The home side rode on the back of a rapid-fire 86 by opener Babar Azam, raking up a formidable 197 before their bowlers held off a star-studded World XI batting line-up led by South African captain Faf du Plessis.
The series has been billed as a precursor to international cricket's return to Pakistan. These matches, however, aren't just about the game that is played on the field. This series has brought together individuals from various nationalities, signifying the strength of peace and friendship in the face of global terrorism.
A glimpse of the bonhomie among the players was on display on Tuesday, with West Indian all-rounder Darren Sammy showing great sportsmanship.
The World XI team needed 34 runs from the last over, which was being bowled by pacer Hassan Ali, with Sammy and Perera batting at the crease. After the first ball went for six, Hassan bowled a perfect yorker to Sammy, making the latter lose his balance and fall flat on the pitch. The former West Indian skipper, though, clapped for the bowler as he lay down on the pitch.
Here's the video of the incident:
The country has hosted only one foreign team since militants attacked a bus transporting the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009, wounding six players and killing two civilians and six security officials.
Lahore streets were gridlocked from 2 pm onwards as cheering fans arrived at the six designated car parks from where they were transported to the stadium by a shuttle service.
Attacks in Lahore have become less frequent in recent years but security remains high as Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups remain active. A Taliban suicide bomber killed 25 people in July in an attack that appeared to target Lahore’s police force.
In March, calls for the return of international cricket picked up steam after the final of the domestic T20 Pakistan Super League, featuring high-profile foreign players such as West Indies World Cup winner Darren Sammy, was held in Lahore.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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