 "'We were punished for 10 years': Pakistan legends recall terror attack on Sri Lankan team ahead of Champions Trophy")
As Pakistan get ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the nation’s cricketing legends have reflected on the dark period following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore. The tragic incident led to a decade-long exile from hosting international cricket, forcing Pakistan to play their home matches in the UAE for several years.
The upcoming Champions Trophy is the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan legends on return of cricket to the country
With international teams now returning to the country, Pakistan’s cricketing greats like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ramiz Raja, and Misbah-ul-Haq have spoken about the challenges faced and the significance of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Former Pakistan captain and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq recalled how the 2009 attack changed the course of Pakistan cricket.
“Right now, everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy – in schools, houses, markets, offices, everywhere. The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream. We were punished for 10 years. Our cricket went backwards,” Inzamam told Reuters.
For years, Pakistan had to host its bilateral series in the UAE, missing out on home-ground advantage and local fans. Pakistan slowly started inviting international teams to the country but only a handful of sides agreed initially. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja played a crucial role in bringing global cricket back to the country.
“Convincing the world that Pakistan is a safe country and that it is capable of delivering such a global event from an administration point of view took serious hard work and convincing. The world eventually understood our viewpoint,” Raja told AFP.
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View AllSuccessful series against teams like Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia in recent years, along with the return of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to the country, helped rebuild Pakistan’s credibility as a host nation. Former captain and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq highlighted how the lack of international cricket at home affected the development of young players.
“For fans and young cricketers to see the stars playing live is a big deal. Not having that meant the whole cricket machinery was jammed,” Misbah told Reuters.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 set to feature top teams, the tournament marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s cricketing revival. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan due to security concerns. As a result, India will play all its matches in Dubai, and if they reach the final, it will also be held in the UAE.
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