Return of Test cricket in Pakistan: former cricketers see Pakistan's dominance in Test ranking

Terming December 11 as historic day for cricket in Pakistan, former Test cricketers said that Pak-Sri Lanka Test series starting from Wednesday (today) will not only mark the return of Test cricket in the country, but also initiate the process of Pakistan's ascendancy in the pinnacle format of the game.

Rashid Latif, who played three Tests against Sri Lanka in 1994 and 2002, said: "I was not born when Pakistan played their first-ever Test at home, but I have no doubts the fans and followers of that era must have felt the same as I am feeling today. It is a great feeling. Ten years is a long wait and it is about to end, I can't wait for the first ball to be bowled."

Moin Khan, who captained Pakistan in the March 2000 Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi which Pakistan won by 222 runs, said: "This series will not only mark the return of Test cricket in the country, but will also initiate the process of Pakistan's ascendancy in the pinnacle format of the game. We all fell in love with this game after watching the greats of ours times before our own eyes. Lot of us used to miss schools, colleges or universities to watch Test cricket and catch a glimpse of stars like Imran Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and so many others."

Former captain Shahid Afridi, who played a Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in March 2006, said: "I would like to thank the Sri Lanka cricket board for sending their team for the Test series, and I also want to thank the PCB for their efforts in ensuring the series takes place in Pakistan. It's due to the PCB's untiring efforts and resolve that Test cricket is being restored in the country. Countries and boards must always support each other. In the past we have stood firm with Sri Lanka in all our cricket commitments and I am happy they have reciprocated our support."

Mohammad Yousuf, who featured in seven home Tests against Sri Lanka said: "It is indeed a great occasion, Pakistan is a sporting nation and we love cricket. Sri Lanka team coming to Pakistan for Test matches is a big achievement and fantastic news for cricket fans who can see their heroes play in front of them. I have some wonderful memories of playing cricket in Pakistan, I really hope this series will turnout well and we will see some good quality Test cricket which will be enjoyed by all."

Former captain Aamir Sohail said: "I am delighted and excited to see Test cricket back in Pakistan after almost a decade. I take this opportunity to urge all the cricket fans in Rawalpindi and Karachi to fill the stadiums and let the world know how much cricket means to us and how much we have missed it. I wish both the teams best of luck. Let cricket and Pakistani people be the winner."

Shoaib Malik, who featured in the last completed Test in Pakistan in March 2009, said: "Test cricket coming back to Pakistan is quite an emotional moment for me. When I retired from red-ball cricket, I knew I was letting go, at a certain level, the essence of cricket. I knew Test cricket will return to Pakistan Inshallah but now that it's here, I'm feeling very emotional."

Umar Gul, who played alongside Shoaib Malik in the Test remembered for Younis Khan's triple-century in Karachi in 2009, said: "I am extremely excited to see Test cricket returning to Pakistan. I welcome the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan. I want to thank them for their help in the revival of Test cricket in our beloved country. It was always an honour for me to play international cricket in Pakistan and I can't wait to see this Test series. I request all cricket fans to support both teams since cricket will be the eventual winner."

Moreover, the return of Test cricket to Pakistan will be heralded by outstanding broadcast coverage from the PCB's broadcast partner, Ten Sports.

Fans will be able to get close to the action thanks to a 23-camera production in High Definition. Those cameras will include two super slow spin vision cameras and an ultra-high speed camera. There will also be stump cameras, Hawkeye ball-tracking and ultra-motion, and the Decision Review System will be in operation.

And the commentary team who will bring the action to life will be the vastly experienced quintet of Ramiz Raja, Bazid Khan, Roshan Abeysinghe, Russel Arnold and Danny Morrison.