IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council tournament on its soil since it co-hosted the 1996 One-day International World Cup. The dry runs of the recently renovated stadiums in Lahore and Karachi have been successfully completed during the tri-nations series, and although concerns remain about the national team’s form, the country is ready to usher in the cricketing world. The mood somewhat soured when India refused to send its team. Its matches were subsequently shifted to the UAE after an agreement that will see Pakistan, too, play its matches on neutral ground when tournaments are held across the border. But the rest of the teams are beginning to arrive; New Zealand and South Africa are already here, and have had a taste of what the new stadiums have to offer during the tri-nations series that ended on Friday. It truly marks the return of international cricket to the country, almost six years after foreign teams resumed their tours to Pakistan following the attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team in 2009. The Pakistan Cricket Board, which renovated the stadiums in the three host cities just months before Feb 19 when the Champions Trophy is due to begin, must be applauded. The facelift means that fans flocking to the venues will have a more immersive experience than previously. Therefore, there has been a great demand for tickets: long queues outside selling points reflect people’s passion for the sport.

However, in the run-up to the tournament, it was disappointing to see swathes of empty seats at Karachi’s National Bank stadium during the tri-nation series final between Pakistan and New Zealand. The result was disappointing too; Pakistan’s sloppiness in the field as well as in their decision-making contributed to a five-wicket loss. It was Pakistan’s second defeat to New Zealand — the side they take on in the Champions Trophy opener next week — in the tri-nation series, having also been thrashed in the round-robin stage of the tournament. It was thanks to a record run chase against South Africa that took them to the final where Mohammad Rizwan’s men came up short — two dropped catches and a missed review proving costly. New Zealand have made a statement. Pakistan need to make one on Wednesday to show they mean business.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2025