The International World XI and Pakistan All Stars promised high quality action in back-to-back exhibition matches that start tonight at the National Stadium, Karachi.
In what is considered to be a small step towards normalcy, several international players arrived in Karachi to take part in exhibition matches as Pakistan looks to revive top-flight international cricket in the country. Deprived of top-flight action since March 2009 – when the Sri Lanka team bus was attacked - fans are now looking to these two fixtures at the weekend with hope.
All members of the touring side were also looking forward to the action as they attended a joint press conference in Karachi yesterday. Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who will lead the home team, said the matches were a delightful moment.
“We are very happy,” Afridi, who will only be able to appear in the opening game, told the press conference held at a local hotel. “At least a step has been taken forward. The organisers and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deserve credit for this.”
We need to move on:
Jayasuriya
Meanwhile, legendary cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, captain of International World XI, hoped the fixtures will help Pakistan to revive top-flight international cricket.
“What happened was unfortunate but we should move on,” said the former Sri Lanka team captain while referring to the 2009 incident. “We did our part by coming here and we will be ready to return when needed. We are ready to do anything for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan and hope this helps in creating a soft image.
“The organisers have worked hard and deserve praise as assembling players from different parts of the world is never easy.” Jayasuriya advised that the country will need to be united if it wants to bring back international cricket.
“The Pakistan board, media and all other stakeholders should move in one direction to achieve this.”
The visiting team captain also expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements.
Former South Africa cricketer Andre Nel said he was looking forward to an exciting game of cricket.
“We are hoping for a good contest,” he said. “I am very excited and want to put on my best show.”
‘PCB also working hard for revival’
Former captain Wasim Bari, who represented the board in the conference, hoped the match will take place in a befitting manner.
“We hope and wish luck to the organisers. The PCB is giving their all-out support as it’s also desperate for revival of international action.”
Alvin Kallicharan
“It doesn’t matter which team wins — cricket will be victorious in these matches. I feel happy and fortunate to be in Pakistan and the warm welcome I received on the arrival was unprecedented.”
Jeff Miller
“I am based in Florida and I feel safe here as I do back home. The security which has been provided to us is phenomenal and it makes me feel that Pakistan is the safest place.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
"..“We did our part by coming here and we will be ready to return when needed. We are ready to do anything for the revival of international cricket in Pakistan and hope this helps in creating a soft image.." Jayasuriya said
Sanath, if you are really here to help us and not for the $$$ then show us by donating $$$ you have received as the "friendly" appearance "fees" to the Edhi foundation in Karachi!!! Otherwise, it seems like a paid advertising and your words sound hollow! It is so frustrating that people think we are simpletons!
@Iqbal and @Indian Catholic
Pessimism personified !!! Give us a break guys....we know that there is a very strong lobby out there in the international cricketing circles (backed and funded by our Indian friends) who want to prolong this cricket drought in Pakistan, with the hope that Pakistan does not produce any more Wasims and Waqars and Shoaib Akhtars, who still haunt the likes of Sachin, Dravid and Laxman in their dreams.....
Although the players of World XI are about to collect their pensions, lets hope they are given adequate security by the hosts. Last thing they want is some of them returning to their countries in a body bag. I am not expecting any test playing country to come to Pakistan for the next 20 years.
@Jeff Miller: Does the US government provide you security back home?