Cricket in Pakistan

Cricket has been played in Pakistan since before the birth of the nation in 1947, going as far back as the 19th century. It was introduced by the British during their colonial rule of British India, of which Pakistan was a part. Despite Field hockey being the national sport of Pakistan, cricket is the most popular sport in the country.^[1] Pakistan has produced many talented cricketers who have been among the best batsmen and bowlers in international cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board controls both the men and women's competition. Pakistan is an official member of the International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council.

History

In One Day International and Test cricket matches, Pakistan has one of the best winning records amongst teams from Asia. Pakistan has won the Cricket World Cup in 1992 and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009.

• History of cricket in Pakistan from 1947 to 1970
• History of cricket in Pakistan from 1971 to 1985
• History of cricket in Pakistan from 1986 to 2000
• History of cricket in Pakistan from 2001

Organization

Main article: Pakistan Cricket Board

The Pakistan Cricket Board governs both the men's and women’s domestic competitions. Pakistan is an official member of the International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council.

Almost all cities and villages in Pakistan have a cricket team and people and children starts playing it at from a young age. The game is a very popular sport and they are being played by professional and amateur individuals.

Domestic cricket

Domestic Cricket in Pakistan is currently sponsored by Faysal Bank. The most important domestic cricket tournaments in Pakistan include:

• Quaid-i-Azam Trophy
• Patron's Trophy
• Pentangular Trophy
• National One-day Championship
• Twenty-20 Cup

International cricket

Main article: Pakistan national cricket team

Cricket teams in Pakistan take part in domestic competitions such as the ABN-AMRO Cup, the ABN-AMRO Patron's Trophy, ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup and the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. International Test matches and One Day International matches are played between the Pakistan national team and foreign opponents regularly.

The team has won many international cricket events, including the World Cup in 1992 and the finishing as runners up in 1999 World Cup and 2007 World Twenty20 and the Champions in 2009 ICC World Twenty20

They also take part in officially sanctioned Asian Cricket Council competitions including the Asia Cup, Asian Test Championship, ACC Trophy and Asian Cricket Junior Tournaments.

Famous cricketers from Pakistan include Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and Abdul Qadir.

See also

• Sport in Pakistan

References

1. ^ Popularity of Cricket in Subcontinent

External links

• Pakistan Cricket Board Official website
• ESPN cricinfo
• National Cricket Academy Official website
• Yeh Hai Cricket Pakistan
• Yeh Hai Cricket Pakistan's Facebook Page
• Faysal Bank
• Faysal Bank Twenty-20 Cup