LAHORE Pakistans first ever modern cricket museum has been setup at Bagh-e-Jinnah ground in Lahore. It depicts cricket culture before partition as well as in modern times. It is named Lahore Gymkhana Cricket Museum.
Work at the centuries old ground where six unofficial tests were played, three before 1947 and three after independence of Pakistan started in 2003. Bagh-e-Jinnah ground was built in 1880 is the second oldest cricket arena in the sub-continent after Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Curator of museum, Najam Latif says that at the museum people will be able to see the journey of cricket before and after partition. "We have a place under one roof where cricket history is available."
On display is the 1932 Indian Test cap of former great Jahangir Khan and his 1933 Trinty college Cambridge blazer.
Also on display is the Test cap of ex-captain Salim Malik along with his blazer, autographed cricket balls by Sir Donald Bradman, Fazal Mahmood, AH Kardar, Imtiaz Ahmed and Abdul Qadir, autographed bats by past and present players, cricket related souvenirs and pitch soil of various Test playing grounds.
Photographs of former greats and teams from 1930 to the present also adorn the museum.
The first ever office of Pakistan Cricket Board formally known as BCCP was also established at the same museum where it worked for three years before moving to Karachi.
Najam said President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Robin Marlar visited it in 2005 and praised the way cricket heritage has been preserved.
One of the main attractions of the 100 year wooden made slip fielding cradle is the iron structure on which players used to sharpen their skills for catches and fielding.
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