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Mian Zeshan Arif
BEING human, we don’t forget that hand which shakes ours and that shoulder which stands with us when the whole world seems to be standing at bay, hesitating to share the pain even.

As they say the one who breaks the ice should be called Champion.

Before admiring Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts, let me take the opportunity to say thanks to Zimbabwe Cricket Board and the players who not only showed a great heart but also proved what they earlier promised.

Being a Pakistani and resident of Lahore, I can still picture the terror and horror we witnessed six years back on a sad day of March 2009 when a deadly attack on Sri Lankan team was carried out by militants on their way the Stadium to play the third day of the second Test against Pakistan.

It did not only leave members of the Sri Lankan cricket team injured and six Pakistani policemen and civilians dead but also shut the doors of international cricket in Pakistan. With the passage of time, and Pakistan’s fight against terrorism, made it hard to present a clear and safe image of our country to other nations.

Every new day took Pakistan away from being a host to International cricket and all its home series were played in United Arab Emirates where no home crowd could cheer and no talent could get chance to be added in the team.

Pakistan even lost the chance to co-host the 2011 World Cup after the attack.

Forced to host home games on neutral venues like the United Arab Emirates, the Pakistan Cricket Board estimates it has lost $120 million in TV rights and extra overheads.

This tour by the Zimbabweans is the first here by a Test-level team since attack on Sri Lankan team.

This time the government has made “extraordinary” security arrangements, according to police officials, deploying over 3 000 security personnel.

The sports complex where the stadium is located, usually open to the public and traffic, has been sealed by police, with several checkpoints set up on the roads surrounding it.

The courage and kindness of the Zimbabwe team must be praised and they are the one to have brought back international cricket in Pakistan and have told others to follow its footsteps.

Being the resident of Lahore I can feel the cheers and happiness in the air as International Cricket has once again begun at home. The tickets for all five matches, two T20s and three ODIs, have already been sold out and still there are thousands waiting to get a place inside stadium to witness these historical moments.

People of Pakistan are appreciating Zimbabwe’s stance of touring Pakistan in such circumstances when no other country could show the courage of sending its team to Pakistan.

Being Human we go through good times and bad times.

It doesn’t mean we should be scared of bad ones, we should rather pray for a nice friend who could hold our hand and take us out of that trouble-period.

Thank you Zimbabwe for being One.