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World watches Pakistan, as international cricket returns to the terror-ravaged country

Pakistan take on Zimbabwe in Lahore in the first T20 game as international cricket returns to the country. Nishad Pai Vaidya looks back at the journey for Pakistan over the last six years

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Pakistan take on Zimbabwe in Lahore in the first T20 game as international cricket returns to the country. Nishad Pai Vaidya looks back at the journey for Pakistan over the last six years.

Since March 2009, Pakistan have played 52 Tests, 147 One-Day Internationals and 70 T20 Internationals. As many as 39 players made their international debuts for Pakistan since. Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad, the two young stars in the team, have never played a single international at home. That puts into perspective the pain of the absence of international cricket in Pakistan.

The security concerns following those dreaded terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus on March 3, 2009 put paid to hopes of international sides regularly visiting the country. Six years down the line, Zimbabwe arrives on Pakistan shores, presenting new hope for the fans.

Looking back at the last six years, Pakistan would have mixed feelings for they have come a full circle in this interval. Immediately after the attacks, they rose to the challenge and lifted the ICC World T20 2009. Apart from that victory, their Test series triumphs against England and Australia in the Middle East would stand out as some of their best moments.

Not to forget the 2011 World Cup, where a young side under Shahid Afridi managed to reach the semi-finals. But, drama and controversy has never been too far!

The spot-fixing scandal in 2010 was a major blow to cricket in the country. It only added to their woes of not getting the opportunity to play at home. Mohammad Aamer, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were jailed after being found guilty by a court in the United Kingdom. There have been the usual captaincy changes, Shahid Afridi’s retirements and comebacks, the musical chairs in the board and the absconding Zulqarnain Haider.

To say that Pakistan cricket has come a full circle wouldn’t be inaccurate for they have seen the good, bad and the ugly in the last six years in exile.

However, the return of international cricket is a moment that could potentially bring together the cricketing fraternity in the country. They are still coming to terms with the embarrassment in Bangladesh, following a dismal World Cup campaign. A disappointing performance often sparks a barrage of criticism, especially from the ex-cricketers.

This time though, this is a special moment and one that goes beyond the boundary lines. It will not only be about the 11 men donning the green jersey in the middle, but also those who will flock to the stadium in Lahore, and beyond the walls of that arena.

There is Afridi, the ever-young all-rounder, forming the link between the two eras. It is apt that he will lead Pakistan on comeback, for he is this immensely popular figure in the country. In the T20 side, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Sami and of course Afridi are the only ones who have played before their home crowd.

Go over to the Zimbabwean side and you have Elton Chigumbura, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Tawanda Mupariwa and Graeme Cremer have toured Pakistan in the past. One must not forget Zimbabwe’s role in making this moment possible.

A country will watch when the two teams take the field on Friday. This is a moment that would be remembered for ages. If Pakistan pulls it off successfully, they will strengthen their case for more cricket at home.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45. The above article was first published in CricketCountry)

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