PTV Sports Live Cricket Pakistan vs Zimbabwe T20 Match 1
LAHORE, Pakistan: The first T20 international will be played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday amid tight security, ending a six-year static of international cricket in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Television (PTV) Sports Live will telecast the much-awaited T20 of the two-match series live from 07:00 pm as per Pakistan Standard Time (PST).
Though Zimbabwe is not a highly rated Cricket nation in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rating but being the first Test nation to tour Pakistan since March 2009 deadly terror attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore, the bilateral series is of great importance. Especially, for Pakistanis who are deprived of seeing their national heroes playing in their home grounds against international teams. PTV Sports Live has taken special measures to promote this match.
Moreover, the Zimbabwe tour to Lahore will also help to convince other cricket playing nations that Pakistan is safe for sports activities like cricket.
“Indeed, we are all very excited,” the chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Subhan Ahmed said.
“The first T20 is totally sold out and we are expecting a packed stadium on Friday evening. I don’t have the exact number, but I think the second T20 is also nearly sold out.”
The PCB chief operating officer said that the Zimbabwe tour is the first step towards the complete revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
The two teams will play the second T20 international on May 24 at the same venue. Later, a three-match one day internationals (ODIs) series will also be played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan T20 Squad
Shahid Afridi (Captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Ahmed Shahzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Mukhtar Ahmed, Noman Anwar, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Immad Wasim, Bilawal Bhatti, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Sami.
It may be mentioned that PTV Sports Live promotes Pakistan and Pakistan cricket being a state owned television channel.