In the midst of the oldest park in Lahore lies the sanctuary of cricket; the Lahore Gymkhana Cricket Ground. It is the centrepiece of the historical Bagh-i-Jinnah, formerly known as the Lawrence Gardens, named after colonial-era administrator John Lawrence. This verdant field was established in 1880 and is the second oldest cricket ground in the history of the subcontinent, the oldest being Eden Gardens in Calcutta.

This ground featured three historic Test matches and was the first headquarters of the BCCP (Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan) which was later restructured into the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board). Many cricketing legends such as Majid Khan, Wasim Raja, Rameez Raja and Imran Khan have played competitive club cricket regularly during their professional years.

Abdullah Khan Sumbal, the current captain of the Lahore Gymkhana Cricket Club (LGCC) since January 2021 while reminiscing about the cricketing history of this ground, said, “I can vividly recall my college days playing cricket on this ground. Cricketing stalwarts like Majid Khan, Imran Khan, and Wasim Raja used to play regular matches and practice in the nets. It was an amazing experience bowling to them and seeing their prowess. Also, I can still recall facing up to Imran Khan and Abdul Qadir and the nervy twitches it would bring to me.”

The former prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, also occasionally played cricket here even during his time in the top office. Similarly, the former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice A.R. Cornelius not only played here but also was the club’s captain.

The current secretary of the LGCC, Javed Zaman Khan, who was also the longest serving captain of this club from 1975 to 1995, said, “In 1977 when England toured Pakistan. Jeff Boycott was strolling in Lawrence Gardens and saw us playing our weekly cricket match on the LGCC ground.

He was impressed by how well we played and then he came to us and requested us to play a friendly with the English National Team on that ground. From that time a precedent was set that whenever England toured Pakistan they would always play against us. This practice eventually extended to Australia and New Zealand. The players from these foreign teams used to come and practice with us in the nets. It was truly the golden era of the LGCC.

The true beauty of this club lies in its young cricketers, unfortunately only a handful of them are being produced. The nets are rarely used and the youth is turning a blind eye to this cricketing treasure.”

It is reported that English batsman Allan Lamb compared this ground with the Lord’s Cricket Ground and Greg Chappel called it the most beautiful ground he has ever set foot on.

Quaid Khan, one of the regular playing youngsters says, playing the sport which is really close to my heart, that too at a ground which I consider one of the most picturesque in the world for almost three decades now, I consider myself really lucky.

The Gymkhana fraternity and game itself has shaped my character and personality in a way which probably schooling alone wouldn’t have done. The weekly fixture at the ground is just not any other cricket game for me but a true escape from tedious work life.

The ground also boasts of one of the most beautiful cricket pavilions in the country. Made out of imported oak wood and designed by renowned architects Bhai Ram Singh and G. Stone, the pavilion is truly a masterpiece. Nestled in the pavilion is a cricket museum containing precious cricket artefacts including a ball signed by Sir Donald Bradman and several signed bats by renowned cricketers.

According to one of the many groundskeepers, “Working here everyday and tending to this beautiful grass in such a serene setting is truly a therapeutic experience which can not be mimicked at any workplace.”

This place should be part of every travel bloggers and foreign tourists’ bucket list visiting Pakistan. My experience on the other hand is very similar to the groundsmen description.

The serene setting is most mesmerising to look at and when the winter morning sunlight shines upon the pavilion, it forms a perfect contrast and is a sight for sore eyes. Playing in such a field regularly is every young cricketer’s dream. A field trodden upon by cricketing stalwarts like Imran Khan, Viv Richards, Allan Border and many others.

The ground currently hosts three cricket matches a week and still manages to gather about 200 to 300 people across one whole match.

It is evident that this ground has lost its glory and it is up to the youth to help regain its lost charm and help bring back the level of cricket that this ground deserves.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2023