Very refreshing to see that Zimbabwean Cricket Board has shown mettle and are coming to Pakistan despite of the uncertain security situation. They understand that games is paramount and it should go on, no matter what. As that is the sign of life and positivity. 6 long years have passed and no team has visited Pakistan to play cricket. Our grounds in various cities have gone deserted and some have even gone out of service. Some grounds are being used for other functions. Other day, the Hyderabad Stadium was used to hold marriage ceremony of a local politician.
Lahore is the lucky city to hold the Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan in 2015. Zimbabwe are scheduled to arrive on May 19 and play two Twenty20 internationals on May 22 and 24 and three one-day internationals on May 26, 29 and 31. All matches are to be played in Lahore. It would be more better if matches would be played in other cities too, but that’s not really practical as it would require distributed security which is already a challenge. Lahore will be practically cordoned off during the matches. According to the media sources some 6,000 policemen will be deployed to provide security to Zimbabwe along with 60 vehicles and helicopters. 3,000 policemen will be inside the stadium when the matches are being played. VVIP status will be given to the team and all roads leading from their hotel to the Gaddafi Stadium will be blocked. One hopes that everything goes according to plan peacefully. Thanks Zimbabwe for coming.