Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan, witnessed the return of high-class cricket after a halt of 26 years with an exhibition match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, Feb 5.
The match was held at the Nawab Akbar Bugti Cricket Stadium, which has been renovated to international standards.
Hosts defeat Zalmi
The Quetta Gladiators, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, put up a brilliant performance, scoring a respectable total of 186 runs. The Peshawar Zalmi, led by Darren Sammy, put up a brave fight but was eventually defeated by 3 runs in the last ball thriller. The Quetta Gladiators were declared the winners, much to the delight of the local fans.
The stadium was filled to capacity with cricket enthusiasts who had been eagerly waiting for this moment. The atmosphere was electric, with the roar of the crowd ringing through the stands. The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams playing with passion and determination.
The return of high-class cricket to Quetta has been a long time coming, and it is a testament to the resilience of the local people. Despite the security challenges faced by the city in recent years, the love for the sport never diminished.
Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Abdul Qudus Bizenjo lauded both franchises and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi, for bringing the game back to the cricket-starved city.
“Successful conclusion of Pakistan’s Super League (PSL)’s exhibition match in Quetta was a loud and clear message for our enemies”. He said.
The match was also a symbol of unity, as fans from all walks of life came together to enjoy the game.
Muhammad Saddam a spectator who traveled to Quetta from Dalbandin, to catch a glimpse of the stars, said he waited for more than two hours outside the stadium in a long line with the audience to witness the action.
“We are very happy that our national players have come to play the PSL exhibition match in Quetta,” he told the news reporters.
Hope to host PSL
The exhibition match marked a major milestone in the revival of cricket in the region and provided the fans with a ray of hope to see future PSL matches in their city. Due to logistic reasons, PCB would not be able to host PSL matches in Quetta this year but the city remains in the plans for future seasons.
Quetta had hosted its last international match back in 1996 when Pakistan played against Zimbabwe in an ODI.