Cricket returns to Pakistan despite Windies Brian Lara snub

International cricket returned to Pakistan with a bang amid heightened security and despite West Indian legend Brian Lara snubbing an invitation to play in two exhibition matches.

A hat-trick by Tabish Khan helped Pakistan All Stars XI led by by flamboyant all-rounder Shahid beat an International World XI led by former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya by 84 runs in the opening match of the two-match T20 series at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday night.

Batting first, the home team piled up 222-7 in their 20 overs. Umar Akmal top-scored with 67 not out while opener Shahzaib Hasan made 54. The International World XI managed 138-8, with paceman Tabish Khan taking 3-25, including a hat-trick.

Afridi was all praise for the players who had come to Karachi to play the two exhibition matches insisting it was the first step towards bringing back teams to Pakistan.

"These matches are important in their own right and these players have done a big service to Pakistan cricket. Because we need to have Test teams playing in the country again," said Afridi who will miss the second match on Sunday because he is going to perform Hajj.

Afridi scored 18 and also picked up the scalp of top-scorer Afghanistan's Shapoor Zadran (42).

Lara was made an offer to play for the International XI in the two unofficial Twenty20 matches in Karachi but he refused because he was concerned about the message his participation would send out, given that the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) had disassociated itself from the games.
 
"Yes, an offer was made to me," Lara told the Trinidad Guardian. "Until such time as the governing body in Pakistan (PCB) is able to convince the rest of the world that the best safety mechanisms have been put in place, and the ICC agrees, I would have to say no."
 
The Twenty20 games marks the return of international players and cricket, albeit unofficial, to Pakistan for the first time since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.

Played amid tight security, it was organised by Sindh Sports Minister Dr M Ali Shah but backed by the PCB.

Around 5,000 policemen and paramilitary staff cordoned off the stadium in a top-level security arrangement.

"It is a grand occasion," Jayasuriya said at the toss. "All the players are excited to be the part of this match and the enthusiasm of the fans makes it a befitting occasion."

"It's nice to see cricket back in Pakistan," former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas said. "It is a small match but the flavour is there, the interest is there and I am glad that this happened."
 

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