News Analysis |
Former West Indies captain and ace batsman, Sir Richie Richardson arrived in Lahore today ahead of the three-match Independence Cup between World X1 and Pakistan. He will be the Match Referee for the three T20 matches that will be held in Lahore on 12,13 and 15 September. The ICC has appointed a member of its Elite Panel as Match Referee for the first time since the ill-fated event of 3rd March 2009 when the touring Srilankan team was attacked by gunmen near the Gaddafi Stadium. Though Zimbabwe played a short series in 2015, the ICC did not send a Match Referee.
Three-match series will go a long way in paving the return of cricket in Pakistan; this is more effective than the Zimbabwean tour or the PSL Final for that matter
The swashbuckling batsman, who played in 88 Tests and 224 ODIs joins the likes of Viv Richards and Brian Lara who have visited the country due to various cricket-related assignments. Viv Richards not only visited the country during the final of the Pakistan Super League in March this year but came to analyze the Champions Trophy in June. Richardson was warmly received at the airport and was taken to the hotel amid tight security.
https://youtu.be/uouZo1lUZx0
( Sir Richie Richardson in action on the field )
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The former captain has fond memories of playing in Pakistan. He scored a match-winning 110 vs Pakistan way back in 1987 in Karachi. The visit of players of his stature will just send the right optics to the world as efforts are in full swing to bring international cricket back to the country.
Tickets are not up for grabs anymore as they have been sold out. After a lapse of 8 years, passionate Pakistani supporters will see modern-day stars battle it out in Lahore
International cricket was banned in Pakistan after the attack on the Srilankan Cricket Team in 2009. Many believe that it stunted the growth and development of the game in the country, besides depriving cricket aficionados of thrill and excitement of watching this great game at home.
After tireless efforts of Najam Sethi, Pakistan managed to convince various international players to play the final of the PSL in March this year; the likes of Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels had really spoken highly of the country with the former becoming a fan of the Army.
Read more: What a time it is to be a Pakistan cricket fan!
The ICC has appointed a member of its Elite Panel as Match Referee for the first time since the ill-fated event of 3rd March 2009 when the touring Sri Lankan team was attacked by gunmen near the Gaddafi Stadium
Preparations are underway as the Pakistani squad has started practice at the Qaddafi Stadium. Tickets are not up for grabs anymore as they have been sold out. After a lapse of 8 years, passionate Pakistani supporters will see modern-day stars battle it out in Lahore. The World XI will include the likes of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, David Miller and others.
This three-match series will go a long way in paving the return of cricket in Pakistan; this is more effective than the Zimbabwean tour or the PSL Final for that matter. Top-notch players dazzling Lahore with the ratification and support of the ICC augurs well for the future.