dhump
Senior T20I Player
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2009
- Runs
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On a Tour where nothing went right for visiting Australian side 22nd October came as shock for both visitors and home side, an unwanted incident took place when some Aussie players were hit by stones at National Stadium Karachi.
Everything got fueled during the Test series when some students threw stones at players and then some spectators tore down the fence and invaded the ground, match was delayed for around 45mins. Australian Captain marked in his remarks. "When a player cannot field on the boundary without being hit, then something serious has to be done to make spectators realize it is wrong," he said. "People don't deserve to see international cricket when they behave like this." These comments made some locals very upset and unfortunately for Australians last ODI of the series was to be held in Karachi on 22nd Oct 1982.
National Stadium Karachi was packed and Pakistan decided to bat first. Signs of trouble were evident just 15 minutes into first inning when Jeff Lawson who fielding on long leg was seen throwing stones back into the crowd. Umpire and Captains talked and then plea to the crowd was made to stay calm but it was all vain as minutes later Lawson was hit on the leg by a stone coming from stands Australian captain decided not to continue and took his players off and almost after an hour of discussion between captains, officials match match resumed as Pakistan was 39-1. Police was called crowd was pushed back from the fences but it was hardly of any use as Stones and Rotten fruits were thrown again and Greg Ritchie was hit, players left the field again with clear signals of not returning back.
Things didn’t just ended here after the announcement of abandoned game situation turned more ugly between the crowd and police, there were serious baton charge from police as mob attacked them with stones and the canvas roof was burned by the mob. Struggle between police and wild mob continued even on the streets around national stadium.
Australians returned to National Stadium Karachi six years later to play a test and in the last 2 decades Pakistan and Australia have played only 3 matches in National Stadium Karachi.
Match Scorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64196.html
Tour Fixtures and Results:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/61392.html?template=fixtures
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