The Zimbabwe tour

Will happen, won’t happen, will happen… Even though Pakistan’s cricket authorities are adamant that they have convinced their Zimbabwean counterparts to send the African country’s cricket team here next week, confusion continues to hover on the future of what would be Pakistan’s first home series against a Test-playing nation in six years. The volatility of Pakistan’s security situation is the primary reason why even a second-tier team like Zimbabwe, itself desperate to get some cricketing action, remains highly reluctant to tour this country. And one cannot blame them. After what happened with the Sri Lankan cricketers here back in 2009, it became pretty clear that foreign teams will avoid coming to Pakistan. That’s why when it comes to international teams visiting Pakistan, there is no low hanging fruit. The sort of problems the Pakistan Cricket Board is facing to save the series against Zimbabwe is an apt reminder of the fact that reviving international cricket in our country is a truly Herculean task. It will be a long and arduous journey before Pakistan can become an international cricketing destination again. But even such a long journey begins with the first step.
The brief series against Zimbabwe, if it does indeed take place, will serve as a baby step. And that is why it is important for the tour to go ahead – albeit smoothly. Our authorities have assured fool-proof security to the visitors and one hopes that they keep their word. Six years ago, the Sri Lankans were given similar assurances but the world witnessed in dismay as the tourists were targeted like sitting ducks in broad daylight on a major thoroughfare of Lahore. Such an incident cannot – at any cost – be allowed to take place again. Zimbabwe might not be a major or crowd-pulling team but its visit will be a ground-breaking one for today’s Pakistan. It would send out a message to the rest of the cricketing world that it might have forgotten Pakistan but Pakistan hasn’t forgotten cricket. The sport remains a national pastime and the country deserves to regain its place as an international cricket destination. It is hoped that the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the tour will be resolved soon and the series will take place successfully. This is the shot in the arm that Pakistan cricket desperately needs.