Lahore, February 17, 2025: Cricket legends Inzamam-ul-Haq, Aamer Sohail, and Misbah-ul-Haq are optimistic that the upcoming Champions Trophy will mark a new chapter for cricket in Pakistan as the country prepares to host its first major global tournament in nearly 30 years.
“Right now, everyone is talking about the Champions Trophy—whether in schools, homes, markets, or offices,” Inzamam shared with Reuters. “There’s no escaping the excitement.”
This tournament represents a monumental return for Pakistan as a host nation after a decade-long hiatus from international cricket. The 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in Lahore led to the country being unable to host international matches, forcing Pakistan to play its home games in the UAE for years. Major teams only resumed touring Pakistan in 2018.
“The events of 2009 feel like a bad dream,” Inzamam reflected. “We were punished for 10 years, and our cricket suffered.”
Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s most successful Test captain, emphasized how significant this event is for both young cricketers and fans. “For fans and young cricketers to see the stars play live is a big deal,” said Misbah. “Not having that meant the whole cricket system was stalled.”
The excitement is palpable, especially after Pakistan’s thrilling warm-up game against South Africa, where they chased down 352—setting a new record for their highest successful ODI run chase.
Aamer Sohail also commented on the electric atmosphere, saying, “What was heartening in yesterday’s game is that people turned up, and then the players responded. It was reciprocal, wasn’t it?”
The return of the Champions Trophy is especially significant, as it was last held in 2017 when Pakistan triumphed over India in the final. However, due to political tensions, India will play all its matches in Dubai, potentially denying Pakistan a home advantage if both teams meet in the final.
“A Pakistan-India match is not just a game of cricket; it’s a game of emotions, expectations, and pride,” Misbah noted.
Inzamam fondly recalled his iconic century against India in 2004 at Karachi, where both teams received standing ovations. “I got a standing ovation, but so did the Indian team for their performance,” Inzamam said. “Supporters from both sides would have wanted to see this match.”
Aamer Sohail, known for his heated exchange with Indian bowler Venkatesh Prasad during the 1996 World Cup, emphasized the importance of the rivalry. “It’s not just important for both countries; this rivalry is crucial for international cricket,” he said.
