Shoaib Akhtar Welcomes Test Cricket Back To Pakistan, Says "Players Become Heroes When They Play At Home"
Pakistan is hosting a Test match at home after a gap of over 10 years with Sri Lanka back to play a two-match series, beginning in Shoaib Akhtar's hometown of Rawalpindi.
Highlights
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Pakistan marked return of Test cricket with a 2-match series vs Sri Lanka
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Shoaib Akhtar welcomed "Test cricket back to Pakistan"
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He said the home series will inspire young generation to take up sport
Pakistan are hosting Sri Lanka for a two-Test series, which started in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, to mark the return of Test cricket in the country after a gap of over 10 years. A militant attack on a touring Sri Lankan team in March 2009 had forced Pakistan into isolation from cricket and they had to host international team for bilateral series in the United Arab Emirates. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who belongs to Rawalpindi, welcomed "Test cricket back to Pakistan", saying it will inspire the young generation to take up the sport.
"I welcome Test Cricket back to Pakistan. Specially, to my city Rawalpindi. When your players play at home, they become heroes, this is what inspires a young generation to take up a sport and idolize greatness," Shoaib Akhtar said on Twitter.
I welcome Test Cricket back to Pakistan. Specially, to my city Rawalpindi.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) December 11, 2019
When your players play at home, they become heroes, this is what inspires a young generation to take up a sport and idolize greatness.#PAKvSL #Rawalpindi
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in the first Test.
Karunaratne was one of the several players who opted out of Sri Lanka's limited-overs tour of Pakistan earlier in September.
After winning the toss, Karunaratne said he was keen to get the game underway. "We are all excited and once the game starts the focus will be on cricket," he said.
Pakistan captain Azhar Ali joined in, saying: "Of course, a historic day in Pakistan cricket and we all are excited."
"We want to make this occasion memorable by winning so all geared up," he added.
Interestingly, all the 15 Pakistani players who have been named in the Test squad are playing their first-ever Test match in front of their home spectators.
Pakistan Cricket Team
Sri Lanka Cricket Team