After what has been a tediously long gap, the stage is set for hosting a Tri-series in Pakistan. With South Africa and New Zealand being the touring teams, the men in green will play an ODI-format tri-series after two decades on their home soil. The event will serve as a build-up to the Champions Trophy in 2025, which is to be staged just after a month in Pakistan as well. The hosting rights of the three-team event fell into the lap of the Pakistan Cricket Board on the sidelines of an ICC meeting. Pakistan has been a part of a couple of tri-nation series in recent years, the latest in New Zealand in 2022 just ahead of the T20 World Cup in its trans-Tasman neighbour, Australia. However, it is the first time since 2004 that the South Asian team will play host for the tri-country event.
The news was broken by a PCB release which mentioned that the chair of the Pakistan governing body, Mohsin Naqvi, met his counterparts from South Africa and New Zealand during an ICC meeting in Dubai and secured a green signal for the tournament to be held in Pakistan in February of 2025.
“The Tri-series between Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand will be an exciting event and it is after a long time that Pakistan will host such a tournament. I would like to thank the heads of NZC and CSA for agreeing to participate in the Tri-series. The PCB is also looking forward to hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will be a great pleasure for Pakistan to host the top eight ODI teams on its soil.”
A Tri-series in Pakistan after two decades
Pakistan’s nomadic journey began after the 2009 attacks on Sri Lanka in Lahore and stripped the country of any home cricket for around a six-year-long hiatus. During these years in exile, the men with star emblems on their chests took Dubai as their sanctuary. This unfortunate event denied Pakistan its right to co-host the 2011 World Cup as well. However, gradually the tide changed and teams resumed touring Pakistan, with the first one being Zimbabwe for a tour in 2015. Just last year, Pakistan hosted a six-team Asia Cup in a hybrid model with Sri Lanka. Apart from that, players have been regularly visiting the country to play bilateral series and Pakistan’s celebrated T20 league, Pakistan Super League. Holding this tri-series in Pakistan will further solidify the country’s image as a safe and peace-loving nation in the eyes of the world of cricket.
Who did Pakistan host in the last tri-nation series?
During the country’s last tri-nation series as hosts, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe visited Pakistan for the three-nation championship, namely the Paktel Cup, from September to October 2004. The tourney was played in the ODI format as well and was hosted in five cities across Pakistan including Peshawar, Multan, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Playing in front of Lahore’s crowd in the middle of October, Sri Lanka trounced the hosts and won the 7-match tournament.
What does it mean for fans in Pakistan?
Cricket fans in the country are buzzing with anticipation and excitement as Pakistan gets ready to host South Africa and New Zealand for the forthcoming tri-nation series. The stage is set for an exciting contest that will not only set the mood for the Champions Trophy but also confirm Pakistan’s reputation as a cricket-mad country ready to represent its passion for the game internationally. Long may our love affair continue with this game!
Also read:
