I saw New Zealand players crying after bomb blast in Karachi in 2002: Inzamam-ul-Haq

New Zealand tour of Pakistan in 2002 was in the news for more than one reason. While Inzamam-ul-Haq had smashed a memorable triple century in the first Test of the series, the tour is remembered for the bomb blast that happened in Karachi where the second match was to be played. The Kiwis left the country soon after the unfortunate incident and the tour was called off immediately.

Recalling the unfortunate happenings, Inzamam, in his Youtube video, has mentioned that the New Zealand players were literally crying out of fear in the swimming pool of the hotel. Rather the blast had taken place near the hotel that the mirror in his room broke and flew away due to the impact. Other hotel rooms were also affected the same way and fortunately, no player was injured in the incident.

“When we went to Karachi, there was a bomb blast. The blast happened after the 1st Test match in Lahore. Thanks to God that no player got injured. It was a horror full day. My room was on the side where the bomb blast happened. The mirrors from one side of my room broke and flew to the other side of wall.

“It happened with every room on that side of the hotel. I ran downstairs, and when I reached there, I saw New Zealand players crying in the swimming pool. I watched that the mirrors and the curtains have come off but still asked the policeman about what just happened. He said it’s a bomb blast and asked me to go downstairs,” Inzamam-ul-Haq said.

Pakistan players couldn’t sleep for one week after the incident

Soon after the blasts, New Zealand team returned home and the Karachi Test didn’t go ahead. Moreover, the former cricketer also claimed that even Pakistan players were shocked and weren’t even able to sleep for a long time after the incident. “The New Zealand team went back home that day, and even our players could not sleep for at least one week,” Inzamam further added.

However, despite the unfortunate happenings in the series, the 50-year-old has fond memories of the innings he played in Lahore. His 329-run knock had helped Pakistan win the Test match and it also turned out to be the highest score of his career.