Perhaps we can state that the National Stadium in Karachi is Pakistan cricket team's spiritual home, for many great memories are associated with the ground. It is here where Pakistan won its first Test match on home soil in 1955. It is the venue where Imran Khan famously got to 200 wickets in a breathtaking spell of reverse swing bowling against India where he finished with 8-60. No ground in Pakistan assists the bowlers with reverse swing as much as the National Stadium. It is of course Karachi that witnessed one of Pakistan's most cherished Test victories against Australia in 1994 by the slimmest of margins. Equally dramatic, if less fondly remembered by home fans, was Pakistan's final day capitulation against England which brought to an end its unbeaten Test record at the venue. It was the site, too, of a magnificent one day match against India, which whilst Pakistan narrowly lost featured a remarkable innings by Inzamam. It was the place too that Pakistan fought back from being 39-6 against India to claim one of the best comeback victories in its history.
To see high-profile cricket at the venue again is therefore a source for celebration in itself.
