Butt, last man out in Pakistan, hopes for new era

Salman Butt clearly remembers the way he was dismissed against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2009 - the last batsman out in the last Test in Pakistan, before a terror attack on the visiting team's bus scared off touring sides.

Butt, now 32, was run out in the last over of the day for 48. The next morning, on March 3, militants ambushed the Sri Lankan bus, killing eight people and wounding seven Sri Lankan players and staff.

Eight years on, and with a conviction for spot-fixing behind him, Butt is hoping for a new era for Pakistani cricket, starting with next week's visit of a World XI to play at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

"I remember that Test vividly because on day two we were replying to a 600-plus Sri Lankan total and I had a good opening partnership of 110 with Khurram Manzoor but in the last over of the day I was run out for 48 in a disappointing manner," Butt said.

"The next day we had to continue our innings so in the morning we set off from the hotel for play but after a few minutes the bus changed its route and we returned to the hotel. Later we were told about the incident, that was really shocking.

"Those events changed the whole scene of Pakistan cricket and the isolation has impacted a great deal with both players and fans deprived of international cricket, but I hope the efforts of the PCB and improved security will end this isolation."

Pakistan have not hosted international cricket - barring a short limited-overs series against Zimbabwe in 2015 - since that day.

But hopes are rising that Pakistan's isolation is nearing its end as security continues to improve in the strife-hit nation.

"Those were heartbreaking circumstances," Butt told AFP.

"It's a wonderful feeling when you play before your home crowd and Pakistan's crowds stand out in top three in the world, so finally it's coming back and everyone is happy."

Former Zimbabwe batsman and ex-England coach Andy Flower has assembled a World XI with players from seven countries led by South African skipper Faf du Plessis, with all three matches set to take place in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hopes the series will go off without a hitch as the country prepares to host Sri Lanka for one Twenty20 international next month and another three T20s against the West Indies in November.

Source: Khaleej Times