Cricket: ‘Small step towards normalcy’

Jayasuriya, Nel, others arrive in Karachi ahead of exhibition matches.


Fawad Hussain October 18, 2012

KARACHI:


Fans will get to see international cricketers playing on Pakistan soil as former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya, among others, arrived in Karachi ahead of two exhibition matches that take place over the weekend.


As many as five cricketers from South Africa, including Andre Nel, and a quartet of West Indies players arrived in the wee hours of Thursday before Jayasuriya, who will lead the visitors, arrived during the evening amid strict security arrangements. West Indian legend Alvin Kallicharran, who is the International World XI team manager, also reached Karachi, while a couple of Afghanistan players – Shapoor Zadran and Mohammad Shehzad are due this afternoon.

The team will play matches on Saturday and Sunday at the National Stadium against a Pakistan All Stars side, led by all-rounder Shahid Afridi. It will also have Younus Khan, Nasir Jamshed, Umar Akmal and Umar Gul. Initially, the visitors were named World XI but it was changed to International World XI after objections raised by the International Cricket Council.

‘International cricket must resume in Pakistan’

Meanwhile, Jayasuriya backed the revival of international cricket in Pakistan after the country has been forced into exile since a gun attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009.

The former Sri Lanka captain said the incident was unfortunate but stressed the return of international cricket in Pakistan.

“I am happy to be back in Pakistan after a long time,” Jayasuriya told reporters at the airport. “The people here love cricket and the two exhibition matches will be a big occasion for the game.”

Powell relaxed in Pakistan 

West Indies cricketer Ricardo Powell was looking forward to enjoying his stay in Pakistan.

“We’re relaxed and there is no concern being here,” said Powell.  “This is a good opportunity for us to provide some excitement to cricket fans here. We are looking forward to it.”

A step towards revival: Nel

Former South Africa cricketer Nel said the purpose of the visit was to help Pakistan and help the return of top-flight international cricket in the country.

“It’s a small step forward,” said Nel. “We are here to give a message to the world that Pakistan is safe.”

Another South Africa player Nantie Hayward said he felt it was his ‘responsibility as a cricketer to help the game’. Sindh Sports Minister Dr Shah, who is organising the exhibition matches, said the successful staging of the two matches will be a huge breakthrough.

Tickets in demand

Meanwhile, according to an organiser, fans have given a positive response to the sale of tickets. The tickets, in denominations of Rs30, Rs200 and Rs500, were put on sale at various centres on Wednesday.

“Some centres have already sold out,” said an organiser. “Other centres are also receiving a positive response.”

Jayasuriya

“I am very happy to be back in Pakistan after a long time. The people here love cricket and the two exhibition matches will be a huge occasion for the game.”

Powell

“We’re relaxed being in Pakistan. This is a good opportunity for us to provide some excitement to cricket fans here. We are looking forward to some good action.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2012.

COMMENTS (6)

Ch.subba Rao | 11 years ago | Reply

It is high time leading cricket nations support pakistan and entertain pakistani crowd and encourage pakistan cricket.I want to see India pakistan match at pakistan.

rock line | 11 years ago | Reply

These time there welcome us with boom

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