Pakistan Christian cricket team makes history by winning South Asian Legacy Cup

At a time when Pakistan’s cricket crazy nation seemed disappointed over Pakistan’s national cricket team’s performance in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy and later in the T20 and ODI series against New Zealand, Pakistan Christian cricket team did provide Pakistan nation a moments of rejoice as they made history by emerging champions of South Asian Legacy T20 Cup held in Sri Lanka ahead of Eidul Fitr which was also participated by India.

Pakistan won the four-nation South Asian Legacy T20 Cricket Cup Tournament by overcoming the hosts Sri Lanka in the final on March 29 at the Aarons Country Club in Horana, Sri Lanka.

The final between Pakistan Christian team and Sri Lanka Christian turned out to be an interesting and close affair which the Greenshirts won by 27 runs. It was great a opportunity for Pakistan Christian team to represent Pakistan in this prestigious four-nation cricket league.

South Asian Legacy T-20 Cricket League Tournament was held under the auspices of Mountain Movers Lanka and South Asian Sports Movement at Horana, Sri Lanka. Four cricket teams participated from Pakistan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The purpose of this tour was to promote the Cricket Values, peace, love and harmony among four nations’ cricket teams. It was cricket league, Pakistan Christian team qualified on point basis to defeat the India and Nepal. Pakistan lost one match from Sri Lanka. Semi-final was played between Sri Lanka and India. Sri Lanka teams won by 2 runs.

Final was played between Pakistan Christian Team and Pakistan Christian Team won the match by 27 runs. It was great opportunity for Pakistan Christian team to presented Pakistan in four nations cricket league.

The prize distribution ceremony after the final of the South Asian Legacy Cup was an impressive event where the Pakistan’s national anthem was played besides Pakistan Zinadabad slogans from the players of Pakistan champions team.

Seventeen- member Pakistan Christian included players from all major cities of Pakistan. The team was captained by Mark Suleman and other players included Saqib Gill (Vice Captain), Akash Hayat, Philpus Tariq, Ramish Ameen, Garry Gill, , Rahal Javed, Akash Ashraf, Yashwa Talib, Brine Bhatti, Mohsin John, Haroon Aslam, Boaiz Irfan, Joshua Gill, Shazaib Bhatti, Ashir Razzaq and Farhan Masih.

The team had experienced persons as support staff. While former Lahore and UAE cricketer Irfan Francis

Irfan Francis was the manager of the team

Ajmal Tahir accompanied the team as Operational Manager besides Maxwell Khokhar, Stephen John as coach and physical trainer Rashid Masih.

Irfan Francis the manager, himself a former Lahore and UAE cricketer, looked a happy man after Pakistan Christian team’s this historic victory.

He was of the view that it was joint effort of Sports Acceleration Team of which Pakistan which enabled the team to make it to the tournament.

The participation of Pakistan Christian team in such a mega event, no doubt, was as a result of well-planned efforts of Sports Acceleration Team

which is working all the way to promote peace love and harmony through sports in Pakistan. This dedicated team of the Christian Community is also all set to have a cricket academy and sports complex. The work in this regard is near completion.

Jubilant Manager of the team Irfan Francis was also of the view that participation of Pakistan Christian team conveyed the message to all present at the event in Sri Lanka that the minorities in Pakistan were all happy in Pakistan and that Pakistan was a safe country to visit.

sarfraznews@hotmail.com

Click here to read article