Ajay Kumar at 13:44, 17 September 2023

2023-09-17T13:44:23Z

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{{Infobox sport overview
| boxwidth =
| title = Cricket in Pakistan
| image = Pakistan cricket team logo.png
| imagesize = 150
| image_alt =
| caption = Pakistan Cricket Logo
| union = [[Pakistan Cricket Board|PCB]]
| country = [[Pakistan]]
| sport = [[Cricket]]
| nationalteam = [[Pakistan national cricket team|Men]]<br>[[Pakistan women's national cricket team|Women]]<br>[[Pakistan national under-19 cricket team|U-19]]<br>[[Pakistan blind cricket team|Blind]]
| national_list = *[[Quaid-e-Azam Trophy]] ([[First-class cricket|First Class]])
*[[Pakistan Cup]] ([[List A]])
*[[National T20 Cup]] ([[Twenty20|T20]])
| club_list = *[[Pakistan Super League]] ([[Twenty20|T20]])
*[[Pakistan Junior League]] ([[Twenty20|T20]])
*[[Kashmir Premier League (Pakistan)|Kashmir Premier League]] ([[Twenty20|T20]])
*[[Sindh Premier League]] ([[Twenty20|T20]])
| intl_list = *[[ICC Cricket World Cup|ICC ODI Cricket World Cup]] ([[ODI cricket|ODI]])
*[[ICC T20 World Cup|ICC T20 Cricket World Cup]] ([[T20I]])
*[[ICC Champions Trophy]] ([[ODI cricket|ODI]])
*[[ICC Test Championship]] ([[Test cricket|Test]])
*[[ICC World Test Championship]] ([[Test cricket|Test]])
*[[ICC Women's Cricket World Cup]] ([[ODI cricket|ODI]])
*[[ICC Women's T20 World Cup]] ([[T20I]])
*[[ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup]] ([[ODI cricket|ODI]])
*[[Asia Cup|ACC Asia Cup]] ([[ODI cricket|ODI]]/[[T20I]])
*[[Women's Asia Cup|ACC Women's Asia Cup]] ([[ODI cricket|ODI]]/[[T20I]])
}}

{{short description|Overview of cricket in Pakistan}}
{{Multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| header =
| header_align = left/right/center
| header_background =
| footer =
| footer_align = left/right/center
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| width = 200
| image1 = Sindh Cricket team match with Australia in 1935.jpg|thumb
| width1 = 200
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Figure 1: the match between Sind and Australia in Karachi on November 22, 1935, was reported by the ''Sydney Morning Herald''.
}}

The history of [[cricket]] in [[Pakistan]] predates the creation of the country in 1947. The first international cricket match in what is now Pakistan today was held in [[Karachi]] on 22 November 1935 between [[Sindh cricket team|Sindh]] and [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] (see Figure 1). The match was seen by 5,000 [[Karachi]]ites. Cricket was introduced by the British during their colonial rule of British India, which covered the area now known as Pakistan. Cricket is the most popular sport in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.artikelverzeichnis-artikel.de/Article/Popularity-of-Cricket-in-Sub-Continent/2 |title=Popularity of Cricket in South Asia |access-date=2008-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325150915/http://www.artikelverzeichnis-artikel.de/Article/Popularity-of-Cricket-in-Sub-Continent/2 |archive-date=2017-03-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] controls all domestic cricket in Pakistan and the national teams. Pakistan is an official member of the [[International Cricket Council]] and the [[Asian Cricket Council]]. Regarded as one of the best and most passionate cricketing nations, Pakistan has won the [[Cricket World Cup]] in [[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992]], [[ICC Men's T20 World Cup|ICC T20 World Cup]] in [[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009]], the [[ICC Champions Trophy]] in [[2017 ICC Champions Trophy|2017]],three times consecutive Austral-Asia cup in 1986,1990 and 1994, the [[ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup]] in [[2004 Under-19 Cricket World Cup|2004]] and [[2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup|2006]], the [[Asia Cup|ACC Asia Cup]] in [[2000 Asia Cup|2000]] and [[2012 Asia Cup|2012]], and the [[ICC Test Championship]] in [[ICC Test Championship|2016]]. Pakistan were runner ups in the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]] and [[2007 ICC World Twenty20|2007]] and [[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup|2022 T20 World Cups]]. Pakistan have also been runner ups in several [[Asia Cup]] editions.

==Organisation and history==
{{main|Pakistan Cricket Board|Pakistan Blind Cricket Council}}

The [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] governs all official domestic tournaments. Pakistan is also an official member of the [[International Cricket Council]] and the [[Asian Cricket Council]]. Almost all cities and villages in Pakistan have their own cricket teams and unofficial tournaments. Pakistani children start playing cricket at a young age.

The game is the most popular sport in the country with the [[tape ball]] variety of the game being the most common. A '''tape ball''' is a [[tennis ball]] wrapped in [[electrical tape]] and is used in playing [[backyard cricket]]. This modification of the tennis ball gives it greater weight, speed and distance while still being easier to play with than the conventional [[cricket ball]]. The variation was pioneered in [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]] and is credited with Pakistan's famous production of [[fast bowling|fast bowlers]] as children are brought up playing the game using a tape ball in which various skills are developed. The increasing popularity of the tape ball in informal, local cricket has transformed the way games are played in cricket-loving nations such as [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], and [[Bangladesh]] but most famously [[Pakistan]]. Such has been the impact of ''tape ball'' that in recent years some companies have introduced tennis balls designed to act like cricket balls.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sgcricket.com/html/CBENDULT.HTM | title=A hard tennis ball designed for play in cricket | access-date=16 October 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060721125302/http://www.sgcricket.com/html/CBENDULT.HTM  |archive-date = 21 July 2006}}</ref> These balls are quite popular in South Asia where [[tape ball]] cricket is one of the most popular forms of the sport.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Guardian Sport|title=Have you heard of Tape Ball cricket?|date=2017-07-19|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV4fmG9-hlo|access-date=2017-07-23|archive-date=2017-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722152919/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV4fmG9-hlo|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Forms of cricket|Professional]] cricket has been played in Pakistan since its formation in [[Partition of India|1947]]:
*[[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]]
{|
|<gallery mode=packed>
File:Cricket in Iqbal Park (Lahore) and Badshahi Mosque.jpg|Locals playing [[tape ball]] cricket near [[Badshahi Masjid]], [[Pakistan]]
File:Kids playing cricket.jpg|Locals playing [[tape ball]] cricket near [[Nanga Parbat]], [[Pakistan]]
File:Children Playing Cricket out side ADEO Budhal Panhyar's Guest House - panoramio.jpg|Locals playing [[tape ball]] cricket in an interior [[Sindh]] village in [[Pakistan]]
File:Locals playing cricket in the Rohtas Fort.jpg|Locals playing [[tape ball]] cricket near [[Rohtas Fort]], [[Pakistan]]
File:Qaqlasht, Chitral Pakistan.jpg|Locals playing [[tape ball]] cricket in [[Chitral]], [[Pakistan]]
File:National Cricket Stadium, karachi - panoramio.jpg|[[National Stadium, Karachi|National Stadium]] in [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]]
File:Boys Playing Cricket on 36-2-L, Road, Okara - panoramio.jpg|Locals playing [[tape ball]] [[backyard cricket|gully]] cricket in [[Pakistan]]
File:Headingley Cricket Ground - geograph.org.uk - 253350.jpg|[[Test cricket|Test match]] between Pakistan and England at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]]
</gallery>
|}

==International cricket==
{{main|Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan women's national cricket team|Pakistan national under-19 cricket team|Pakistan national blind cricket team}}
Cricket is considered the most popular sport in Pakistan. After the [[partition of India]] in 1947 and the formation of Pakistan, Pakistan played its first official match<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/41030.html|title=Abdul Kardar|website=Cricinfo|access-date=2021-02-21|archive-date=2021-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210233248/https://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/41030.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in 1952 under the captaincy of [[Abdul Hafeez Kardar|Abdul Kardar]] against the [[republic of India]] in [[Pakistani cricket team in India in 1952–53|1952]] registering their first Test victory<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-india-1952-53-61529/india-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-62742/full-scorecard|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Pakistan 2nd Test 1952/53 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2021-02-21|archive-date=2021-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226020351/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-india-1952-53-61529/india-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-62742/full-scorecard|url-status=live}}</ref> in [[Lucknow]].<ref name="first">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/149870.html |title=Pakistan announce themselves |access-date=26 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=26 October 2005 |archive-date=26 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026024815/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/149870.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Women's cricket developed later in Pakistan with the women's national team playing their first match in [[Pakistan women's national cricket team|1997]].

The [[Pakistan national cricket team|national cricket team of Pakistan]] is governed by the [[Pakistan Cricket Board|Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)]] - a permanent member of the [[International Cricket Council|International Cricket Council (ICC)]]. Pakistan national teams regularly participate in international home and away series - with the major series being against [[India–Pakistan cricket rivalry|arch-rival]] India. In addition, the Pakistan men's national team participates in the following major international tournaments:
* [[ICC Cricket World Cup|ICC ODI Cricket World Cup]] ([[One Day International|ODI]]): Inaugural Tournament and Debut in [[1975 Cricket World Cup|1975]]
* [[ICC T20 World Cup|ICC T20 Cricket World Cup]] ([[Twenty20 International|T20I]]): Inaugural Tournament and Debut in [[2007 ICC World Twenty20|2007]]
* [[Asia Cup|ACC Asia Cup]] ([[One Day International|ODI]] & [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]): Inaugural Tournament and Debut in [[1984 Asia Cup|1984]]
* [[ICC Champions Trophy]] ([[One Day International|ODI]]): Inaugural Tournament and Debut in [[1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy|1998]]
* [[ICC World Test Championship]] ([[Test cricket|Test]]): Inaugural Tournament and Debut in [[2019–21 ICC World Test Championship|2019/21]]
* [[ICC Test Championship]] ([[Test cricket|Test]]): Inauguration and Debut in [[ICC Test Championship|2003]]

Pakistan men's national team has had success on the international stage having a best international ranking of 1st in the [[Test cricket|Test]], [[One Day International|ODI]] and [[Twenty20 International|T20I]] cricket.<ref>[[Pakistan national cricket team]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=February 2021}} In terms of tournament success:
* [[ICC Cricket World Cup|ICC ODI Cricket World Cup]]: Champions in [[1992 Cricket World Cup|1992]]
* [[ICC T20 World Cup|ICC T20 Cricket World Cup]]: Champions in [[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009]]
* [[ICC Champions Trophy]]: Champions in [[2017 ICC Champions Trophy|2017]]
* [[Asia Cup|ACC Asia Cup]]: Champions in [[2000 Asia Cup|2000]] & [[2012 Asia Cup|2012]]
* [[ICC World Test Championship]]: N/A
* [[ICC Test Championship]]: Mace Holders in [[ICC Test Championship|2016]]

From 2009 to 2019 Pakistan was unable to host international matches in Pakistan after the [[2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team|terror attack]] on the touring Sri Lanka cricket team. This decade led to little or no international cricket taking place in Pakistan and Pakistan played its home series in the UAE (specifically Dubai and Abu Dhabi). As the security situation improved, in September 2019, international test cricket returned to Pakistan with the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20|visit of Sri Lanka]]. By the end of 2022, almost all the leading Test playing nations had toured the country again. The 2023 [[Asian Cricket Council|ACC]] [[Asia Cup]] and the 2025 [[ICC Champions Trophy]] are scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

The [[Pakistan women's national cricket team]] has had moderate success on the international stage and is in development. However, the team is regularly ranked in the top 10 in the world.<ref>[[Pakistan women%27s national cricket team]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=February 2021}} Thus far the [[Pakistan women's national cricket team|women's national team]] has not won an [[International Cricket Council|ICC]] or [[Asian Cricket Council|ACC]] international tournament.

==Domestic cricket==
{{seealso|List of Pakistani cricket teams}}
The structure of domestic cricket in Pakistan at the highest level has changed many times since 1947 with the latest restructure being in 2019.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27504448/pcb-unveils-new-domestic-set-stay-top-mantra |title=PCB unveils new domestic set-up with 'stay at the top' mantra |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-date=31 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831140727/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27504448/pcb-unveils-new-domestic-set-stay-top-mantra |url-status=live }}</ref> Previously [[Quaid-e-Azam Trophy|domestic cricket]] operated with departmental, city and regional teams - a set up encouraged by [[Abdul Hafeez Kardar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/464050-dept-cricket-s-abolition-ex-cricketers-split-over-imran-s-decision|title=Dept cricket's abolition: Ex-cricketers split over Imran's decision|website=www.thenews.com.pk|access-date=2021-02-20|archive-date=2019-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428165432/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/464050-dept-cricket-s-abolition-ex-cricketers-split-over-imran-s-decision|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1947, the [[Quaid-e-Azam Trophy|domestic first class cricket]] system has varied considerably per year with teams ranging from 7 to 26 and tournament matches operating under different formats (often changes occurred every year). With the advent of domestic [[List A cricket|List A]] and [[Twenty20|T20]] forms of cricket in the 1970s and 2000s, there has been no consistent set up (as has been noted for [[first-class cricket|first class]] cricket in Pakistan). Historically, school and club cricket has also suffered due to inconsistencies in top tier domestic cricket. The consistent changes in the domestic structure and the gradual introduction of departmental teams was encouraged as it provided permanent jobs to players. Matches were rarely televised due to lack of quality cricket and lack of interest in departmental cricket. This inconsistent system was widely criticised on the basis of low quality cricket and reduced competition.

In 2019, six regional teams were created on provincial lines. The teams would compete in the principal competitions in all three forms of the game: the [[Quaid-e-Azam Trophy]] ([[first-class cricket|First Class]]), [[Pakistan Cup]] ([[List A cricket|List A]]) and [[National T20 Cup]] (Domestic [[Twenty20|T20]]). The PCB's rationale in reducing the number of teams in domestic cricket was to concentrate talent in order to increase competition and improve the quality of cricket. The new structure also consisted of corresponding second XI, under-19, under-16 and under-13 competitions, and live television coverage of top level matches.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cricketworld.com/pcb-confirms-schedule-of-266-match-2021-22-domestic-season/72223.htm |title=PCB confirms schedule of 266-match 2021-22 domestic season |access-date=2021-08-10 |archive-date=2021-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810190913/https://www.cricketworld.com/pcb-confirms-schedule-of-266-match-2021-22-domestic-season/72223.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The restructuring also reorganised district level cricket into a three tier bottom-up system, with 90 city cricket associations supervising school and club cricket at grassroots level, and inter-city tournaments providing a stepping-stone to the six elite regional teams.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/article/94127/pcbs-new-domestic-structure-improvement-at-the-price-of-unemployment|title=PCB's new domestic structure: Improvement at the price of unemployment?|date=February 25, 2020|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=March 4, 2021|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230094732/https://tribune.com.pk/article/94127/pcbs-new-domestic-structure-improvement-at-the-price-of-unemployment|url-status=live}}</ref> The three tier bottom-up system can be summarised as follows<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/city-cricket-association-tournament-schedule-announced.html |title=City Cricket Association tournament schedule announced |access-date=2021-08-10 |archive-date=2021-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810190912/https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/city-cricket-association-tournament-schedule-announced.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The six regional teams (operated by respective six cricket associations) ensure that the affairs of the associations at city level are regulated. They frame policies that will develop cricket at the grassroots, manage club cricket in collaboration with the 90 city associations and also oversee intra-city competitions. The teams are responsible for revenue generation through sponsorship, marketing and strategic collaborations with business conglomerates. Each of the six regional teams have a chief executive officer and a management committee that has been tasked with supervising all cricketing activities. These changes have been made by the [[Pakistan Cricket Board|PCB]] in order to decentralise the administrative body so that it can limit itself to a supervisory role by delegating responsibilities related to the development of the sport to the provincial associations.<ref name="auto1"/> This tiered structure has been enshrined in the [[Pakistan Cricket Board|PCB]] constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pcb-s-new-constitution-confirms-overhaul-of-domestic-structure-1197126|title=PCB's new constitution confirms overhaul of domestic structure|website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2021-02-20|archive-date=2021-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226205845/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pcb-s-new-constitution-confirms-overhaul-of-domestic-structure-1197126|url-status=live}}</ref>

An nationwide inter-city franchise T20 tournament, the [[Pakistan Super League]], was inaugurated in [[2016 Pakistan Super League|2016]]. In 2021, a franchise T20 tournament based in [[Kashmir]] was launched, titled the [[Kashmir Premier League (Pakistan)|Kashmir Premier League]].

===Regional domestic tournaments===
The main regional domestic cricket tournaments in Pakistan for men are contested by six elite regional teams with the cricket season starting in October and concluding in March. Second XI teams of the six regional teams compete in parallel competitions, and there are age group pathway tournaments at national, regional and local level. The elite tournaments are:
* [[Quaid-e-Azam Trophy]] ([[first-class cricket|First Class]]): Duration two to three months.
* [[Pakistan Cup]] ([[List A cricket|List A]]): Duration one month.
* [[National T20 Cup]] ([[Twenty20|T20]]): Duration one month.

Women's domestic cricket tournaments take place between four teams. The main elite tournaments are:
* [[Pakistan Women's One Day Cup]] ([[List A cricket|List A]])
* [[PCB Triangular Twenty20 Women's Tournament]] ([[Twenty20|T20]])

===Franchise tournaments===
The main franchise domestic [[Twenty20|T20]] cricket tournaments in Pakistan are:
* [[Pakistan Super League]] (city-based and countrywide)
* [[Pakistan Junior League]] (city-based and countrywide)
* The Women's League (city-based and countrywide)
* [[Kashmir Premier League (Pakistan)|Kashmir Premier League]] (city-based within [[Kashmir]] region)

==Cricket stadiums==
{{main|List of cricket grounds in Pakistan}}

Pakistan is home to several cricket stadiums with the major/popular cricket stadiums (by province/territory) being as follows:

'''Sindh'''
*[[Karachi]]: [[National Stadium, Karachi|National Stadium]]
*[[Rafi Cricket Stadium|Rafi Stadium (Under Construction - Planned 2022)]]
*[[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]: [[Niaz Stadium]]

'''Punjab'''
*[[Lahore]]: [[Gadaffi Stadium]]
*[[Multan]]: [[Multan Cricket Stadium]]
*[[Rawalpindi]]: [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]]
*[[Faisalabad]]: [[Iqbal Stadium]]

'''Khyber Pakhtunkhwa'''
*[[Peshawar]]: [[Arbab Niaz Stadium]]
*[[Abbottabad]]: [[Abbottabad Cricket Stadium]]

'''Balochistan'''
*[[Quetta]]: [[Bugti Stadium]]
*[[Gwadar]]: [[Gwadar Cricket Stadium]]

'''Azad Kashmir'''
*[[Mirpur, Pakistan|Mirpur]]: [[Quaid-e-Azam Stadium]]
*[[Muzaffarabad]]: [[Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium]]

'''Gilgit-Baltistan'''
*[[Gilgit]]: Pissan Cricket Stadium

==Notable players==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Imran Khan]]
* [[Abdul Qadir (cricketer)|Abdul Qadir]]
* [[Javed Miandad]]
* [[Rameez Raja]]
* [[Wasim Akram]]
* [[Aamir Sohail]]
* [[Saeed Anwar]]
* [[Inzamam-ul-Haq]]
* [[Waqar Younis]]
* [[Misbah-ul-Haq]]
* [[Shoaib Akhtar]]
* [[Saqlain Mushtaq]]
* [[Saeed Ajmal]]
* [[Younis Khan]]
* [[Yasir Hameed]]
* [[Zulfiqar Babar]]
* [[Abdul Razzaq (cricketer)|Abdul Razzaq]]
* [[Shahid Afridi]]
* [[Mohammad Hafeez]]
* [[Mohammad Sami]]
* [[Kamran Akmal]]
* [[Shoaib Malik]]
* [[Imran Farhat]]
* [[Mohammad Irfan]]
* [[Umar Gul]]
* [[Sohail Tanvir]]
* [[Azhar Ali]]
* [[Wahab Riaz]]
* [[Fawad Alam]]
* [[Yasir Shah]]
* [[Sarfaraz Ahmed]]
* [[Nasir Jamshed]]
* [[Junaid Khan (cricketer)|Junaid Khan]]
* [[Fakhar Zaman (cricketer)|Fakhar Zaman]]
* [[Umar Akmal]]
* [[Ahmed Shehzad]]
* [[Mohammad Amir]]
* [[Mohammad Rizwan (cricketer, born 1992)|Mohammad Rizwan]]
* [[Haris Rauf]]
* [[Babar Azam]]
* [[Shadab Khan]]
* [[Shaheen Shah Afridi]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Sport in Pakistan]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|1=http://www.pcb.com.pk/|2=Pakistan Cricket Board}}

{{Cricket in Pakistan}}
{{Cricket by country}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cricket In Pakistan}}
[[Category:Cricket in Pakistan| ]]

Cricket in Pakistan - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 13:44, 17 September 2023