PAK vs WI: Karachi set to host international match after nine years

Pakistan cricket has faced a fair amount of turbulence over the past few years. Following the infamous Sri Lankan team bus-attack, cricketers have been reluctant to visit the terror-stricken nation. Political tensions and constant terror attacks thereafter dented the chances of cricket coming back to the country. Nevertheless, the last three years have been a witness to cricket returning to Pakistan.

Zimbabwe toured the nation in 2015 followed by the World XI team captained by Faf du Plessis. Sri Lanka sent a depleted side to the nation for a one-off T20 International game. However, all the games have been hosted by the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Nevertheless, the Karachi National Stadium is set to host their first international game after a gap of nine years.

A wait for almost a decade

The Windies will play three T20 Internationals against Pakistan starting today (April 1), all of which will be played in Karachi. The venue recently hosted the final of the third edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between the Islamabad United and the Peshawar Zalmi. The game went right down to the wire and JP Duminy’s men clinched the game.

Meanwhile, Pakistan would definitely start the series as favourites as the Windies won’t be playing with their full-strength team. The teams have clashed in 11 games in which the hosts have had the lid over the Windies. Also, Pakistan are currently ranked number-one in T20 Internationals and haven’t lost their last six T20I series, which will keep them in a positive frame of mind ahead of the clash.

Karachi has been a witness to some jaw-dropping encounters in the past. Meanwhile, the audience in the national capital would be raring to see the series start as the struggle to bring cricket back to Pakistan still continues.

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