Pakistan is hosting its first major cricket tournament in almost three decades from Wednesday; a development officially hailed as a watershed, some years after the country was written off as off-limits on the back of security fears. Hosting the Champions Trophy in three cities over the next two-and-a-half weeks will significantly advance the South Asian nation’s reputation, provided officials can organize the event smoothly and in a safe manner. According to Ramiz Raja, the former PCB chairman, “Convincing the rest of the world about Pakistan being a safe place for hosting such a global event and capable of administratively doing it involved serious hard work and convincing.”
“The world finally understood our point of view,” said Raja, under whose chairmanship the event was awarded in 2021.
The buildup has not always been smooth going, with neighbors and arch-rivals India refusing to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions.
The sports powerhouse will instead host their matches in Dubai with the other seven nations based in Pakistan.
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The state has beefed up security, particularly in the three host cities of Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, although attacks in main cities have become rarer.
Pakistan was originally slated to host the Champions Trophy, one of the top ODI tournaments following the World Cup, in 2008.
Instead, it was held in South Africa the following year, as a security crisis stemming from the war in neighboring Afghanistan took hold after the September 11 attacks.
In 2009, Pakistan became impassable for international sides after Islamist gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka’s team in Lahore, injuring several players and killing eight policemen and civilians.
That improvement started with a military operation launched four years ago and by now has lent confidence to the return of Test cricket to Pakistan following the completion of a series of global cricket T20 tournaments.
The Champions Trophy will see all these teams in Pakistan.
Terrorism had taken everything away
For 77-year-old businessman Haji Abdul Razzak, an event of international stature happening in Pakistan is similar to celebrating another birthday.
This was the last major international cricket meet co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.
On March 17, 1996, during that fateful day, after Sri Lanka beat Australia to win the trophy, Razzak hoisted the Sri Lankan flag at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Almost three decades later, the cricket lover will attend the first match of the Champions Trophy, to be played on Wednesday in Karachi between the defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand.
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Razzak, with teary eyes, told AFP, “It is still fresh in my mind; my country was flourishing, and cricket was in everyone’s mind during that time.”
He added that some “terrorism had taken everything away and that the return of a world event to our country I am feeling is like a birthday for me.”
While militancy and violence are still a threat to Pakistan, the flashpoints of violence are now confined to several far-off border regions from north to south, away from where the stadiums are.
Recently, the capital city of Islamabad was shut down following the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and the Education Summit for Girls, representing Pakistan’s coming out event on the international stage.
Pakistan recently hosted the tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa to test its readiness, attracting huge crowds to newly renovated stadiums in Lahore and Karachi.
Raja, a former Pakistan captain who participated in the 1987 World Cup held inside Pakistan and India, said that hosting the Champions Trophy carries enormous significance that transcends sports.
“This Champions Trophy takes a very substantial step towards normalising its standing in the global cricket community,” commented Raja.
“It is about national prestige.
“It is about sending across a very strong message about resilience and determination.
“It is about the youth, the culture, and creating global recognition for Pakistan.”
“Now it is our turn to deliver.”
