Eight years after the militant attack that shut down the doors of international cricket, the Sri Lankan board has approved a tour to Pakistan. Following security examinations, the Cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala confirmed that Sri Lanka will play three T20s, “at least one” of which will be played in Lahore, which has been reconfirmed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi as well.
Lahore, of course, is the site where the 2009 attack took place. It is also the city that has hosted the only international level matches over the past eight years – the Zimbabwe tour in 2015 and the Pakistan Super League final this year.
Sri Lanka winning the 1996 World Cup in Lahore
So not only would the city where the militant attack took place be playing the host, the side that was targeted looks set to be the one to formally announce the opening of the gates of international cricket in Pakistan.
Of course, Sri Lanka knows firsthand what it’s like to be maginalised owing to volatility at home – which plagued their cricket at a time when the team had been peaking in the mid-90s. And even though the ethnic war in Sri Lanka wouldn’t end around 2009, weeks after the Lahore attack, teams were touring the Lankans amidst militancy.
Pakistan is hoping for the same, considering that the war on terror is still ongoing and Lahore – the most fortified city in the country – alone has witnessed five attacks this year.
The PCB has set up state-of-the-art security and surveillance to ensure safety of the players and the touring officials. And the recently confirmed PCB chairman Najam Sethi deserves a lot of credit for bringing cricket back home, beginning with the PSL, despite all odds.
September could be a pivotal month in the history of Pakistan cricket
Sri Lanka, of course, have some wonderful memories from Pakistan as well. They won the ODI World Cup at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which is their greatest moment in the sport. In 2008, a year before the attack, they beat India in the final to win the Asia Cup in Karachi. But despite being the most blatant victims, the Sri Lankans might spearhead the writing of a promising new chapter for Pakistan cricket.
The Sri Lankan tour has been in the works since the PSL final was successfully held, and the word is that the West Indies are expected to follow suit as well. With these tours being mixed with cricket being played in the UAE, and Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand in January, PSL 3 could host many more matches than just the final this year, to further ease the transition for future tours.
And once there have enough of these tours under the belt, we can look at the likes of England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to start coming to Pakistan – although it might still be a while till the all-conquering Indian side agrees to play with the side that took their Test mace from them last year.
Former captain Sanath Jayasuriya with former president Pervez Musharraf
Along with Sri Lanka, the much touted ICC XI is also scheduled to tour next month, which is why the PCB has recalled players from the Caribbean Premier League and English county.
September is going to be a pivotal month in the history of Pakistan cricket and should both series be hosted successfully, others would feel they can trust the security arrangements enough to join in as well.
Till then UAE would remain the alternative home ground, for sides that would delay their inevitable ‘Yes’ to touring Pakistan. For that day is not far when Pakistan begins hosting international tournaments and not just international teams.
