The standard of cricket in Pakistan has dropped significantly in recent years, with the country, which was once regarded as one of the game's highly-rated ambassadors, now struggling to get even the basics right. Why has Pakistani cricket suddenly become a topic of discussion? It's all due to a video of a cricket stadium that has gone viral on social media. The footage shows the Khanewal Stadium in Pakistan's Punjab province, which has shockingly been converted into a pumpkin and chilli farm.
Pakistan, in particular, which was devoid of some quality international cricket due to the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team back in 2009, had started to play cricket again.
Interestingly, since the COVID-19 breakout last year, most of the international matches were only being played in Lahore and Karachi.
The goal of building the stadium was to produce the best cricketers for the country. The pavilion was built of high class and the infrastructure was also made available of international level. Vegetables are now being grown in this stadium which comes under Khanewal District Administration.
When this news reached former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, he said, “It is sad to see this condition… It is noteworthy that Sri Lankan cricket team went on a tour of Pakistan in 2009. On March 3, 2009, when the team was travelling by bus in Lahore, terrorists attacked it with a deadly attack. It was such an incident that shook the whole world.”
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The stadium has a proper practice area, pavilion, and ground, however, it is now under the control of the farmers who turned it into a farm. The stadium is now growing chili, pumpkin, etc. on its land.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will be hosting New Zealand and England in September and October respectively. Australia are also due to travel to the country in February next year.