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THE first win was nerve-jangling, the second emphatic. For 14 years, Multan had missed out on international cricket but when it finally returned this week, the Pakistan team made sure it didn’t disappoint the crowds that had braved the heat to watch their stars in action. Babar Azam’s men wrapped up a second straight One-Day International series triumph with a game to spare against the West Indies. The opening game was a thriller with Khushdil Shah’s power-hitting efforts taking Pakistan to a five-wicket victory in the final over. Mohammad Nawaz, who hit the winning six in the first ODI, was the star of the show in the second game as he weaved a web of spin over the West Indies to wrap up a 120-run victory. It would be unfair to discount the contributions of batting mainstay Babar and opener Imam-ul-Haq. The captain became the first batter to make centuries in three successive ODIs twice, with his ton in the first match. Babar missed out on becoming only the second batter to make four centuries on the trot by 23 runs in the second. Imam made half-centuries in both matches. The victories are also crucial as the series offers points in the ICC’s ODI Super League, a qualification cycle for next year’s World Cup.
Although the series only came to Multan after being postponed in Karachi and shifted from Rawalpindi, fans rejoiced in the city’s first international match since Pakistan played Bangladesh in 2008. Since the resumption of international cricket in the country, the city of saints became the fourth staging venue after Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. It was played at a time of year when Multan sees stifling temperatures. It wasn’t ideal but ice vests and water breaks helped. The PCB should work on reviving other venues which have staged international matches previously. Not only would that burnish Pakistan’s credentials as an international cricket host, it would also allow the national team to make that much-needed connection with cricket fans across the country.
Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2022
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