Kumar Sangakkara, the skipper of Marylebone Cricketing Club(MCC) and a former Sri Lankan player, says the team is overwhelmed with the amount of love and hospitality received in Pakistan.
All praise for Pakistan, he urged the international cricket teams to consider touring Pakistan. Adding that players were, “really, really impressed and very, very moved and we understand very, very easily how much passion there is and how the lack of international cricket is not a great thing for Pakistan.”
Lahore never fails to impress! What an incredibly charged crowd in the @therealpcb stadium to welcome MCC @homeofcricket to 🇵🇰 against @LahoreQalandars #UKPakDosti pic.twitter.com/L3y6H072p1
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) February 14, 2020
MCC, the oldest cricketing club in Britain, received an unanticipated reception in Pakistan. MCC made a week-long tour to Pakistan from February 12th to February 19th. The team played four 50-over matches in Lahore against two PSL franchises-Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars, which they won and lost two matches against Pakistan’s Shaheens and Pakistan North.
“We have had a wonderful time [in Lahore], the security has been exceptional and the cricket was highly enjoyable, particularly at the Aitchison College ground,” said Kumar Sangakkara in an interview with a local media outlet.
🇵🇰 With the tour now over, MCC would like to thank Pakistan for their kind hospitality over the past two weeks.
We look forward to returning at some point in the near future. #MCCcricket | @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/naN4x9AGs6
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) February 20, 2020
“We never expected such a big crowd for a first game against the [Lahore] Qalandars. When we got to the ground, we had almost 19,000 people, hungry to watch some cricket,” he further added.
A privilege to host MCC @homeofcricket in Lahore – @KumarSanga2 receives a bat signed by @ImranKhanPTI 🇵🇰 🇬🇧#UKPakDosti
Muje bahut khushi hui ke MCC cricket team Pakistan ayi pic.twitter.com/iu5pSAbarv— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) February 15, 2020
“The message we will be taking back is about the warmth of the people, the welcome of the fabulous spectators who came to watch cricket, the passion the players and people have for it and our own experiences of playing here and traveling about in Lahore,” said MCC player Sangakkara.
“We would love for teams to consider coming here so that international cricket can finally come back to Pakistan in full force.
First game in Lahore with MCC. Great to be back. #MCC @HomeOfCricket #spiritofcricket pic.twitter.com/LhEZpGI4TP
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) February 14, 2020
“It’s important that, when you are in a country on a tour, you’re not confined to a hotel, but you can go around and enjoy the city and the country you’re in,” he added.
Many thanks to @HomeOfCricket for an amazing tour of Pakistan. Thoroughly enjoyed and very well organised by @TheRealPCB making us feel very welcome. Memories made. #chickennuggets #millennium #energy #SpiritofCricket #Lahore #sultan pic.twitter.com/ExEknq70k2
— Roelof van der Merwe (@Roela52) February 19, 2020
The tour arranged by British High Commission, MCC visited Lahore Gymkhana, gold course, the Lahore Fort and had dinner at the British High Commission.
Sangakkara was in awe of the culture, art, and literature of Pakistan. He appreciation the security provided to them on their tour to the country.
Read more: Sri Lankan Cricket team leaves with fond memories: Calls Pakistan 200% safe
“We have had a wonderful tour here, making sure that the message has been conveyed across the world of cricket through personal communication with the people, official statements and interviews,” he said.
“And as you know the players are also going back [to their respective countries] they must be talking about their wonderful and safe stay here and it is all part to bring back international cricket to Pakistan,” he continued
“The security has been exceptional and we enjoyed our cricket matches at the wonderful venue of Aitchison College, as visiting that historical place was a great part of the tour.
Tried my cricket skills with the legend himself @KumarSanga2 keeping wicket. Was hoping to hit a six but got bowled in spectacularly bad style #UKPakDosti pic.twitter.com/vYNc3orPJN
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) February 16, 2020
He says the team desires to return to Pakistan in the near future.
“We also visited historical Lahore Fort where we watched a great history, great contemporary artwork, learned about the past rulers, and all was a great experience for the entire party.”
Despite losing two matches, Sangakkara said, the players enjoyed the enthralling crowd and pleasant weather in Lahore.