KARACHI: Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said on Tuesday the Champions Trophy would be a “historic occasion” for the country, a day before the hosts kick the tournament off against New Zealand.
The Champions Trophy is the first major cricket event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades and is regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game.
“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion,” Rizwan told a news conference on the eve of the tournament, which runs until March 9.
Pakistan had been due to host the tournament in 2008 but was thrown into cricketing isolation by a security crisis as violence spilled over from the long-running war in neighboring Afghanistan.
Gunmen then attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka’s team in Lahore the following year, wounding several players and killing eight policemen and civilians.
However, major teams have toured Pakistan in the past five years as security improved, opening the way for the cricket-mad nation to stage the tournament.
“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” Rizwan said.
Still, the build-up has not been without problems after neighbors and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions. India will instead play their matches in Dubai.
Pakistan’s opponents in the tournament opener in Karachi beat them twice this month during a tri-series event that included South Africa.
“There shouldn’t be any doubts on our performance,” Rizwan said. “We may not have played on our abilities but we all want to win the event for the country and people.”
Rizwan hoped to have pace bowler Haris Rauf on the pitch after he suffered chest muscle strain in the match against New Zealand in Lahore last week.
“Haris bowled 80 percent yesterday and today he is bowling at his full rhythm and told us that he is not feeling any discomfort, so I hope he is fully fit,” Rizwan said.
Skipper Rizwan urges Pakistan to enjoy ICC Champions Trophy
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Skipper Rizwan urges Pakistan to enjoy ICC Champions Trophy
- Pakistan had been due to host the tournament in 2008 but was thrown into cricketing isolation by a security crisis
- Major teams have toured Pakistan as security improved, opening way for cricket-mad nation to stage the tournament.
Pakistan shuts key motorway routes as dense fog envelopes parts of Punjab
- Pakistan shuts Lahore to Sambrial, Thokar Niaz Baig to Kot Momin areas along motorway due to reduce visibility
- Motorway police advise citizens to avoid overspeeding, lane violations and unnecessary traveling amid smog conditions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities closed key routes on the motorway on Saturday night as thick fog enveloped parts of the eastern Punjab province, the motorway police said in a statement, to save lives and reduce the chance of accidents due to reduced visibility.
Punjab cities face worsening smog each winter, driven by crop burning, vehicle emissions and industrial pollution that threatens public health and daily life. The smog season typically begins in late October, peaks between November and January and can persist through February.
As per a statement released by the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), the M-2 motorway was closed from Thokar Niaz Baig to Kot Momin, the M-3 motorway section was closed from Faizpur to Darkhana and the M-4 area from Pindi Bhattiyan to Abdul Hakeem was also closed. The M-11 route was also closed from the provincial capital Lahore to Sambrial.
“The closure of motorways is aimed at ensuring the safety of life and property of the public,” NHMP’s central region spokesperson said in a statement.
He warned that lane violations during the prevalent smog can cause accidents, adding that visibility on the National Highway ranges from zero to 100 meters.
“Citizens are advised to prefer traveling during daytime hours,” he said. “Safe traveling time is from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.”
The police spokesperson urged citizens to avoid overspeeding and advised them to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead while driving.
The development takes place as two of Pakistan’s largest cities, Karachi and Lahore, were ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world by the Swiss air monitoring agency IQAir on Sunday morning.
Karachi was ranked as the fourth-most polluted city in the world with an air quality index of 215 (very unhealthy) while Lahore was placed at number five with an AQI of 199 (unhealthy).
