WEB DESK: It is not only Pakistanis who are happy on the founders of cricket home coming after a gap of 16 years in October next year.
It’s also the British High Commissioner (HC) to Pakistan Christian Turner who wanted Pakistani grounds to be under the floodlights and echo with chantings again.
He had been quite vehement about it.
“It was my goal since arriving here as a high commissioner to welcome the England Cricket Team for Pakistan, England series”.
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Besides efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Turner broke the sweat to make it happen too.
He recalled his back efforts in multiple interviews to bring the England Cricket team home after 16 years.
Amazing news for 🏏 fans from @EnglandCricket @TheRealPCB – 🏴 is coming to 🇵🇰 in 2021! #cricketisGREAT #HarHaalMainCricket #UKPakdosti pic.twitter.com/ifDUoBMU6f
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) November 18, 2020
England Cricket Board (ECB) also endorsed visiting Pakistan.
We are heading to Pakistan! 🏴🇵🇰🏏
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 18, 2020
Turner’s love for cricket ,especially with Pakistan cricket, is not a new story.
Congratulations @KarachiKingsARY on their victory over @lahoreqalandars in the #PSLFinal. @thePSLt20 has shown the best of cricketing talent with 14 England players taking part. (And remember who was supporting you!!) #undiplomatic pic.twitter.com/G7JaBrMUYm
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) November 18, 2020
However, the series between England and Pakistan has remained encircled in controversies since long.
Spot-fixing scandal, 2010:
Pacers Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Captain Salman Butt were involved in a plot to bowl deliberate no-balls.
Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) imposed prolonged bans on all three players.
Afridi damages pitch, 2005:
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi was caught on television screen scraping his boots on the pitch.
He did this during the play stop due to a gas cylinder blast at Faisalabad Cricket stadium.
Later after inquiry, he was banned for a Test and two One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
Pakistan forfeits Oval test, 2006:
Pakistan forfeited the final test against England at Oval in the 2006 series.
Pakistan took the course after umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove penalized it five runs for ball-tampering.
In the history of test cricket, this was the first time that a match was forfeited.