Pak cricket: relishing times

Pakistan cricket is on the top — after long long years. From a no-go destination till only months ago, Pakistan is now a much sought-after cricket venue. Major cricket teams are now making a beeline to tour the country. Cricket giant Australia, for instance, has agreed to visit Pakistan for the first time since 1998 — and that too with a full-strength squad. The tour scheduled in March-April will feature three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I. Also, New Zealanders are ready to compensate for abandoning a Pakistan series in September last year. The English team — which followed in the footsteps of New Zealand and cancelled a scheduled series against Pakistan — has also reversed its decision and is now willing to tour the country for the first time after 2005.

Well, the credit for this turnaround goes to the young and emerging talent who infused new life into what had hitherto been a dull unit through their exciting performance. Pakistan’s performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup has surprised the whole cricket world. Even though Pakistan team was defeated by eventual winner Australia, its unbeaten run to the semi-final stage of the tournament was hugely appreciated. Before that, in early last year, Team Pakistan had successful home and away series against Proteas.

No wonder Pakistani players have stolen the show at the ICC Awards 2021. Babar Azam is named as the captain for the ICC ODI Team of the Year, besides being crowned as the ODI Cricketer of the Year. Pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Player of the Year. Wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan is declared T20I Cricketer of the Year. Besides, female cricketer Fatima Sana is named ICC’s Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

The PSL does merit a mention here, as the league has been instrumental in breeding genuine talent. The super league is going from strength to strength with its seventh edition all set to burst into action in Karachi today.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2022.

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