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Pakistan Celebrates Return of International Cricket After 8-Year Hiatus On This Day In 2017

Pakistan team poses after winning Independence Cup in 2017 (X)Pakistan team poses after winning Independence Cup in 2017 (X)

September 12, 2017 – A day that brought hope, pride, and an emotional resurgence for Pakistan cricket. After an eight-year-long wait, international cricket finally returned to Pakistan as the nation hosted the ‘Independence Cup,’ a three-match T20I series against the World XI.

Held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, this historic event marked a significant step in restoring Pakistan’s reputation as a safe and cherished venue for cricket.

Pakistan welcomed international cricket after a 8 year gap

The road to this day had been arduous. Since 2009, when a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team’s bus in Lahore shook the cricketing world, Pakistan had been in the wilderness, forced to play their home games on foreign soil.

Apart from a bilateral series against Zimbabwe in 2015, the country had largely been deprived of live international cricket action. However, September 12, 2017, changed the narrative.

The star-studded World XI team, led by South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, was welcomed with open arms and roaring applause. Featuring big names like Hashim Amla, Tamim Iqbal, Daren Sammy, David Miller, Morne Morkel, and Imran Tahir, the team represented not just a competitive force but also the goodwill of the global cricketing community.



Babar Azam leads Pakistan to victory in the first T20I

In the opening match, Pakistan, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, began with a bang, defeating the World XI by 20 runs. Babar Azam was in the zone that day, anchoring the innings with a sublime knock of 83 off 52 balls. His effortless boundaries and sixes lit up the stadium, as Pakistan posted a formidable 197.

Despite spirited efforts from Tim Paine, Hashim Amla, and du Plessis, the World XI fell short, ending their innings at 177. Babar, the Player of the Match, had set the tone for what was a memorable homecoming.

However, the visitors, not to be outdone, bounced back in the second T20I, securing a seven-wicket victory and setting up a thrilling series decider. The anticipation among Pakistani fans was evident, as over 25,000 spectators flooded Gaddafi Stadium for the third T20I, knowing the winner would lift the Independence Cup.



Ahmed Shehzad's heroics and Hasan Ali's fiery spell seal series win for Pakistan

The stakes were high, and Pakistan once again rose to the occasion. Ahmed Shehzad shined with the bat, scoring a brilliant 89 off 55 balls, supported by another classy innings from Babar Azam, who narrowly missed a half-century, scoring 48. Pakistan posted 183/4 in their 20 overs.

Hasan Ali’s lethal opening spell put the World XI on the back foot early, as they lost three wickets within the first five overs. Though David Miller and Thisara Perera attempted to rebuild, their efforts couldn’t turn the tide. Pakistan, with a disciplined bowling attack, restricted the visitors to 150, winning the game by 33 runs and clinching the series 2-1.



In an emotional moment during the final game, Pakistan cricket legends Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq were honoured at the innings break, receiving a standing ovation from the passionate crowd, capping off what was already a heartwarming occasion.