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Former Pakistan cricketers feel the hosting of the Champions Trophy has brought back the people’s happiness in the country. The showpiece event will be the first of its kind after 29 years, when they co-hosted the 1996 World Cup.
Many cricketing countries avoided visiting Pakistan, after a terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009. Notably, a bus carrying the Sri Lankan player was attacked by 12 gunmen near Lahore, while they were on their way to play a bilateral Test fixture. Six players were wounded and as many policemen were killed. The entire team was taken to the stadium and were airlifted from the pitch via helicopter.
Ex-Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq revealed that the Champions Trophy fever has gripped the entire nation, which is in contrast to the bad dream they faced until 2019.
“Right now everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy, in schools, houses, markets, offices, everywhere,” he added.
“The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream,” Inzamam said. “We were punished for 10 years. Our cricket went backwards.”
Meanwhile, Misbah-ul-Haq also feels it will be a golden opportunity for the fans to witness their favorite international players in action in Pakistan.
“For fans and young cricketers to see the stars playing live is a big deal,” said Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful test captain. “Not having that meant the whole cricket machinery was jammed.”
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan wants fans to enjoy Champions Trophy
Ahead of the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand on February 19, Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan urged the fans in the country to enjoy the tournament. He feels that Pakistan has done well to win the 2009 T20 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy, despite facing setbacks.
“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion,” Rizwan told a news conference on the eve of the tournament.
“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” Rizwan added.
Rizwan also feels that Pakistan has lacked the ability to hold their nerves in crunch moments, which has cost them a win in crucial games of ICC events.
“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 added.
Mohammad Rizwan further disclosed that the veteran pacer Haris Rauf is in contention to play the Champions Trophy clash against the Kiwi side.
