Pakistan shows World its mettle

Cricket victorious in a match bigger than any team

• Pakistan beat World XI by 20 runs

• A jam-packed Gaddafi witnessed the return of international cricket

• Riding on Babar Azam’s 86 and splendid spells from Sohail Khan and Shadab Khan, Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match series

The Pakistan side has beaten the World XI by 20 runs in a highly-anticipated match, where more than any person or any team, cricket was victorious.

September 12, 2017, will be remembered for ages to come. It will be remembered as the day when some of the biggest names in the cricketing world visited Lahore to help the return of international cricket to Pakistan. It will be remembered as the date when international cricket made its comeback to Pakistan.

The seeds for the World XI visit were sown when Pakistan Super League second edition’s final was held Lahore. For almost a decade, every Pakistani was deprived of witnessing an international cricket match in Pakistan, but soon after the PSL season two, the World XI tour was reported and the entire nation had been waiting for this faithful moment; when the World XI would face off against the greens in the faithful Gaddafi Stadium.

Extremely strict security measures were taken before the much-awaited Pakistan versus World XI match, which marks the return of international cricket in Pakistan.

Over 6,000 police officials and paramilitary officers were deployed around the stadium, according to provincial government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. “A foolproof security plan was devised for the protection of the teams and spectators,” he said.

The streets of Lahore were swathed in posters of the visiting players and advertisements for the matches. Long queues formed at vendors across the city and many fans were turned away as tickets sold out.

People of the ‘cricket-crazy’ nation were overjoyed with the return of international cricket to Pakistan, chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and ‘Dil Dil Pakistan,’ as World XI took on Pakistan in the opening game of Independence Series.

Numerous people had their faces painted in Pakistani colours and walked through a strict four-tier security check to reach their seats at different enclosures of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Several security checks with scanning at every few steps can be frustrating for some, but for the Lahoris, it was just another part of the festivity.

For young fans and many players on the team itself, this was one of the first times they were able to experience a high-profile match on home turf.

Eventually, that time came and a star-studded World XI came out in Gaddafi. A packed stadium welcomed both teams with roars and eventually the match kicked-off. The World XI side had won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan.

Speaking after the toss, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed said that the team wanted to bat first and are looking forward to an exciting match. He also remarked that there could be no better opportunity for the young players to show their talent. “Our main focus is on cricket now,” said the team captain

Captain of World XI, Faf du Plessis, referred to the match, as a ‘historic moment,’ adding that he is honoured to lead Word XI and playing the match will be a new experience for all the visiting side.

It didn’t take long for the World XI to get a wicket as Pakistan lost its first batsman in the very first over of the game. Fakhar Zaman edged to the first slip on the bowl of Morne Morkel. Babar Azam joined Ahmad Shahzad on the crease. The pair of Babar Azam and Ahmad Shahzad placed Pakistan in a commanding position.

Pakistan lost its second wicket when Ahmed Shahzad was dismissed by Ben Cutting in the 15th over of the innings. Shahzad was caught near the leg-side boundary by Sammy at 39. Soon after, Babar Azam also joined Shahzad as the batsman was dismissed by Imran Tahir after scoring a brilliant 86, leaving the crease with Pakistan 142-3 in 15.5 overs.

Pakistan were looking as if they’d run away with the match, eyeing a huge total. But, soon after, captain Sarfraz Ahmad was dismissed after scoring just four runs. A short and wide delivery from Perera had Sarfraz looking to cut through point, but there was some extra bounce which took the edge and was comfortably taken by the keeper.

Pakistan began the first over with 176/4, and must have been looking to score somewhere near 190. The final over began with a six by Malik, but on the very next bowl, he was heading back to the pavilion. A good length bowl on middle and leg by Perera had Malik dismissed after scoring 38.

Imad Wasim slapped the last bowl for a six as Pakistan ended the innings with 197/5. Pakistan plundered 48 runs off the last three overs to cruise to the total.

Tamim Iqbal and Hashim Amla opened the innings for the World XI side, whose batting line-up was supposedly designed for these types of situations. Huge total to chase, but the World XI players can bat till the end.

The World XI side started well and Pakistan had to wait till the sixth over to get their first wicket, Rumman Raees bowled out Tamim Iqbal after he had scored 18 runs. On the last bowl of this over Raees struck again. The Pakistani bowler threw in a slower ball, which Amla failed to read and he attempted to hit it big. But the bowl went straight to Imad Wasim, who took the catch comfortably. The World XI side started the over at 39/0 and ended it with 48/2.

By the end of over 12, the travelling side had brought up their ton with the loss of just two wickets. But on the third ball of the 12^th over, du Plessis fell to a Shadab Khan ball. The World XI captain was caught by substitute Aamer Yamin after scoring 29 runs.

By the end of Shadab’s over, the World XI required 91 runs from 42 balls and it was Paine and Miller on the pitch, both batsmen fully capable of winning this for their team.

Sohail Khan was set to bowl the next over and he didn’t take long to get Paine’s wicket. The Pakistani bowler bowled a slower ball, and Paine’s attempted shot fell straight to Raees at the boundary and Paine headed back after scoring 25 runs. At this moment in the match, Pakistan seemed to be on top, with the World XI needing 88 runs from 36 balls.

Hopes for the du Plessis-led side were slowly dying as Shadab struck once more and got the wicket of Miller, leaving the World XI at 124/5 with five overs to go.

Sohail Khan had bowled brilliantly throughout the game and yet again got a wicket, Elliott fell to another slower ball after Imad Wasim comfortably took the catch. By now, the World XI needed a miracle to make a comeback, with 50 runs required from the last three overs.

Hasan Ali stood up to bowl the last over and the World XI required 34 runs to win. By now, the result was inevitable, the match was all but over and Pakistan seemed determined to send the fans home with a win, and they delivered. Perera was run out on the second last bowl of the over after scoring 17. The last bowl was struck for a four but it did not matter anymore, Pakistan had won the match.

With the packed stadium roaring to celebrate their team’s victory, the Pakistani players ecstatically celebrated, not just the victory, but also the return of international cricket to their homeland and the chance to, once again for some, play in front of their fans. For young fans and many players on the team itself, this was one of the first times they were able to experience a high-profile match on home turf.