Test cricket’s revival

After more than 10 years, Test cricket is all set to return to Pakistan in December when Sri Lanka will play their World Test Championship matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi. This series is vital as regards endeavours to bring back international cricket to Pakistan in its entirety. The success of the recently concluded limited-overs series has finally paved the way for cricket’s most important format to thrill the local audiences that have been starved of watching their idols perform on their home grounds. The recent tours not only delivered security from the top draw, but packed houses sent out a loud and clear message about the security situation in the country as well as passion for the game.

This new development will be the greatest test of Pakistan’s security arrangements which have been touted as the one of the best in the world. The greater challenge arises from the fact that, unlike a limited overs match, a Test match is played over five days. Each day the teams have to be transported to and from the stadiums. The gap between matches has to be more as well. Whereas, limited overs game can be played with a one-day gap, players need more time to rest between Test matches which prolongs the overall duration of the series.

Pakistan’s image as a safer country depends drastically on their ability to deliver top-notch security arrangements in this series. The jubilation of the fans however will also be backed by the crippling traffic situation in the cities that host the series. Security will come at a price for the population who will have to suffer from blocked roads and excessive traffic. Pakistan needs this tour to go without a hitch to finally claim that international cricket is truly back to the country in its entirety. This will be the culmination of years’ worth of effort from the PCB. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2019.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.