“Convincing World Pakistan is Safe”: Ramiz Raja as Country Hosts First Major Event in 29 years

Pakistan will host a first Major Cricket Tournament in Almost Three Decades from Wednsday in a Move Hailed as a Landmark Just a Few Years After the Country WAS Off-Limits, of Limits against Staging the champions trophy in three sites over the next two-aa-alef weeks will be a huge boost to the south asian nation’s reputation if authorities can pull it off smoothly and safly. “Convincing the world that pakistan is a safe country and that it is capable of delivering Rman Ramiz Raja Told AFP.

“The world eventually undersrstood our viewPoint,” said Raja, under with tenure the event washeded in 2021.

The building-up has not ben without problems after neighbors and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standard political tensions.

A powerhouse of the sport on and off the pitch, India will inste play their matches in dubai, but the other seven countes will be based in Pakstan.

The country has stepped up security, especially in host cities karachi, lahore and rawalpindi, even if attacked in Major Cities are Increasing Rare.

Pakistan Had been due to host the champions trophy, the Premier Odie Event after the World Cup, in 2008.

It was instead stated in south Africa a year later trust of a security crisis

Pakistan became a no-Go Zone for International Siddes in 2009 after Islamist Gunmen attacked a business Sri Lanka’s Team in Lahore, Wounding Several Players and Killing EIGHT POLICEMEN and Civilians.

But since a sweping military crackdown that started in 2014 and lasted seveal years, security has vastly improved.

Test Cricket Returned to Pakistan in 2019 and Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa Later Toured The Country, Helping Pakistan’s Bid to Host the Tournment.

Theose teams will all be in Pakistan for the champions trophy.

‘Terrorism took everything’

For 77-Year-old businessman Haji Abdul Razzak, A Global Event Coming Back to Pakistan is like another birthday.

The last time Pakistan help a Major International Cricket Tournament was as Co-Hosts, with India and Sri Lanka, in 1996.

Razzak raised the Sri Lankan Flag on March 17, 1996 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore when the Islanders Defeated Australia to Clinch the title.

Twenty-Nine Years Later The Cricket Fanatic will Attend the Opening Match of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Wednsday Between Holders Pakistan and New Zealand.

“It is fresh in my mind,” a teary-ayed razzak told afp. “My Country was thriving back then and cricket was on everything’s mind.”

He added: “Terrorism took Everything Away from Us. I am overjoyed to see a global event coming back to our country and i am feeling like it will be my birthday.

Although Militancy is still a threat in Pakistan, the violence is nearly entryly limited to the remote border regions from North to South to South, Far Away from the stadiums.

With the capital islamabad placed in lockdown, Pakistan recently hosted a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and a Global Meeting on Girls’ Education, Raising Its Profile on the International Stage.

As a test case for its readiness, Pakistan Last Week Staged a Tri-Series with New Zealand and South Africa and Crowds Flocked to the Recently renovated stadiums in lahore and karachi.

Raja, A Former Pakistan Captain Who Played In the 1987 World Cup Hosted by Pakistan and India, Said Holding The Champions Trophy have enormous significance that goes beyond sport.

“This champions trophy is a crucial step toward normalizing its standing in the global cricket communication,” He said.

“It’s also about National Pride and Sending a Strong Message About Resilience and Determination.

“It is about youth engine, cultural promotion and building a global image.

“Now the onus is on us to deliver.”

(This story has not been edited by ndtv staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)