Focus shifts to cricket ahead of Pakistan T20

There is an air of excitement in Lahore. After a six years hiatus international cricket is all set to return Pakistan on Friday evening with a Twenty20 match against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday morning but for two days the major talking point was security arrangements rather than cricket.

The focus has now shifted back to the cricket.

There was a trophy unveiling ceremony at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Thursday and both the captains Elton Chigumbura and Shahid Afrdi addressed press conferences to a large media contingent.

Although there is no shortage of sports reporters in Pakistan, an extraordinary number of journalists - including one from an American news channel - and photographers turned out to cover the pre-match press conference.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has even invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to attend matches and there is a possibility they might all attend one of the five fixtures in Lahore.

Image Id: ~/media/AEDC844DBB0C46F3832C4647091E764CZimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore inspects the pitch // Getty Images

There is an excitement among Pakistan players as well, many of whom will be playing for the first time in front of home crowd.

Pakistan has had some great moments in the last six years but the players didn't get chance to perform in front of their local fans when they won the World Twenty20, Asia Cup and whitewashed England (3-0) and Australia (2-0) in Test series.

Of the 15 players in the Twenty20 squad, only six – Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmad and Wahab Riaz – have experienced playing international cricket at home. 

Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal have played in a combined 288 international matches but they will be playing in Pakistan for the first time in their careers when they line up against Zimbabwe.

Flamboyant veteran Shahid Afridi will be playing his maiden match as captain at home. 

"It's a big thing for me that I have got an honour to play in Pakistan as I will be leaving cricket after the World Twenty20 in India next year," said Afridi ahead of cricket's return in Pakistan.

"It's a big responsibility to lead Pakistan and I will try to fulfill my responsibility. I have always taken up challenges.

"It is very positive sign. We guys have been waiting for this for the last six years and the credit goes to PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan and his whole team. They really did well. I also want to thank the Zimbabwe government and their players. I hope they will enjoy their trip here."

Image Id: ~/media/9443073CB2AF43F99D62B1865BAB9D78Shahid Afridi speaks ahead of the match // Getty Images

Pakistan have made many changes to their Twenty20 squad. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Sami, who made their international debuts 15 years ago, have made comebacks and there are some new faces as well.

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"We are focusing on the next World Twenty20 so we have to do some experiments," said Afridi.

"We will be working on our weak areas. It is good that the selection committee is doing its work and as a captain I will do my work.

"The next World T20 is after eight or nine months. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Sami have lot of good performances in the past. They are not quite aged and I think Malik has done well in the T20 cricket he has played in other countries (Australia and West Indies). They have been given opportunity and I hope they will take it."

Among many changes in the squad, Pakistan also dropped Saeed Ajmal after he failed to impress with a remodelled action.

When Afridi was asked about Ajmal's future he said it would depend on how hard the controversial spinner works on his game.

"Saeed Ajmal can himself tell you how much he will work to make a comeback and it depends on himself," Afridi said.

"I have given a task to the selection committee and I don't want to interfere.

"I have requested them to not make changes three or four months before the T20 world cup."

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's record in Twenty20 International isn't impressive.

They have won only six matches in this format and only three of them were against Test playing teams. They also haven't beaten Pakistan in 20-over format and are currently ranked 12 in the ICC Rankings for this format.

However, if Zimbabwe manage to pull off victories in both the matches they will jump to number nine in the rankings, above Bangladesh.