New Delhi: For a country beset with problems, Pakistan’s craze for cricket endures and Champions Trophy provides a breath of fresh air. Through it, not only does a global cricketing event returns to the country after 29 years, it also serves as a reminder that it was the last major tournament Pakistan could win.
Hence the pressure on Pakistan is multifold. Not only do they have to retain the trophy they had won when it was held for the last time in 2017 but also pass the scrutiny of operational and security arrangements off the field.
By refusing to travel, India have already dented a chance for Pakistan to enjoy a financial windfall as the headline-grabbing contest between the two teams on March 23 had to be shifted to Dubai.
But all other teams have agreed to travel for the first time in a decade, in a sign of Pakistan gradually repairing their reputation that took a severe beating after the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka in March 2009 near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“It was the worst day in my life when news came through of what had happened. Everyone was numb and most of us in our offices realised immediately this was going to put Pakistan cricket back by a few years,” Pakistan Cricket Board’s then director Wasim Bari said.
“Pakistan cricket couldn’t properly grow for the next 10 years, as all teams refused to play in Pakistan for security reasons.
“To see England, Australian, South African, New Zealand and Afghanistan teams in Karachi and Lahore means so much to all Pakistani cricketers, board officials and the fans,” he added.
Which is why Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan has no qualms in saying that the performance of his team should be deemed secondary to successful hosting of the tournament.
“I think, most importantly, we should all enjoy the Champions Trophy as it is after a long time (that) we are having such a big event in Pakistan, after 10 years (that) we spent playing our home matches elsewhere,” Rizwan said, on eve of their tournament opener against New Zealand.
“If you see, even in those 10 years (that) we suffered, Pakistan cricket did well and won big matches including being the Test No. 1 team and (winning the) Champions Trophy. I hope we can repeat that same thing in this tournament.”
Huge efforts taken by PCB
To make the country tournament-ready, Pakistan Cricket Board has pulled out all the stops, shelling out millions of dollars to refurbish stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi, the three venues where group stage matches would be held.
It has stretched the already-thin coffers of PCB to the extent that chairman Mohsin Naqvi sold off 30 VIP tickets allocated for him to raise funds, but he can’t be faulted for lack of initiative.
Apart from organisational upheaval, PCB also took efforts to overhaul selections and scouting of players, bringing Aaqib Javed as coach and appointing Rizwan as the white-ball captain.
Unpredicatable to the bone
After such major changes, teams usually take time to find their feet but for the perennially unpredictable Pakistan, it could just be the tonic they needed.
“It is hard to say how we will perform on a particular day because it is important for us to play to our optimum level to win matches,” Rizwan said.
Bu as a “senior” player, all he could promise was no let up in intensity and willingness to “lead from the front”.
On the field, results in build-up to the competition has been mixed, with their highest ODI run chase of 353 offset by defeat to New Zealand in the final of a tri-series also involving South Africa.
Yet, Rizwan and his deputy Salman Agha’s centuries in their successful 353-run chase would be a boost to the team, that traditionally banked on bowlers for victories.
Former skipper Babar Azam’s patchy form remains a concern though availability of white-ball specialist Haris Rauf for their opener against New Zealand on Wednesday is a relief.
But there is plenty of room for improvement, and Rizwan was frank enough to admit that a day before kick-off, hoping they move from strength to strength once the tournament unfolds.
“I think we lack that one or two per cent needed to win matches under pressure because unfortunately, we tend to crack under pressure and lose close matches as we have seen in recent games,” he said.
Pakistan only do they have to retain the Champions Trophy they had won when it was held for the last time in 2017 but also pass the scrutiny of operational and security arrangements off the field. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
