We must appreciate the initiative of Zimbabwe cricket team and its officials for touring Pakistan at a time when other international teams were hesitant to do so. Beyond the results of the matches, the series had a special impact for the Pakistanis; watching national team playing with another international team in home ground after the gap of almost six years was always going to have special feelings.
Lahori’s participated in great numbers to watch the matches and conveyed the positive message to rest of the world for suitable playing conditions in Pakistan. Although the two T20 and all three ODI matches were played in Lahore, the tickets of all the matches were sold out within minutes. Officials of Zimbabwe Cricket Team were found lauding the hospitality of Pakistanis and asked other international teams to visit Pakistan. Captain of Zimbabwe team said in a press conference that his team has found excellent playing conditions and they were amazed by the cricket passion of Pakistanis.
Pakistan is one of the great cricket playing nations, won world cup and a T-20 world cup, but after infamous incident of terrorist attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore in 2009, was hit very badly by the absence of international cricket. Pakistan won both the series, but performance of few players was below the level of satisfaction but few performed very well.
After becoming captain of ODI team Azhar Ali has performed in an excellent manner, which is a satisfactory sign. Pakistan team’s next task is to beat Sri Lanka at least 3-2 to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2017 in England, in which top eight teams would be playing but currently Pakistan is on 9th spot after losing ODI series to Bangladesh.