Role of Television Channels in Pakistan for the Betterment of Domestic Cricket – Part Two
Continued from the previous part …
Compared to other countries, situation of domestic cricket in Pakistan is quite pathetic. Private television channels came in Pakistan only in 2002 and before that all the burden of the television programming was on the state television channel (PTV). Hence,
PTV just used to telecast the finals of the Quaid e Azam Trophy which is the premier first-class cricket tournament in Pakistan. Apart from that, there was no time given to the domestic Cricket and as a result the domestic cricketers were nothing but strangers
for the public until or unless they got selected for the national team. Geo TV network launched the first sports channel of Pakistan,
Geo Super in August 2006 and till date it is the only sports channel in the country.
At the present moment of time, people of Pakistan do not have any means of entertainment because of terrorism and the socio-economic condition of the country. In a society, which looks stressed out at the moment because of various reasons, there are no healthy
activities for the youngsters. International stars from the showbiz industry and sports teams of different countries are not willing to tour Pakistan because of the security reasons.
As a result, the new generation of Pakistan is getting attracted towards drugs and other unhealthy and unethical ways of entertainment.
The current situation calls for the sports organizers and officials to stand up and raise the level of different sports within the country and organize such sporting events, which catch the attention of the youngsters and provide them with healthy and positive
entertainment.
Cricket is without doubt the most popular sport in Pakistan at the present moment. In a time when talks of ethnicity and sectarianism are at its peak in the country, cricket is the only thing which seems to unite this nation under one flag.
Even though, Pakistan is going through turmoil because of war on terror and extremism, Green Shirts’ performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 created a feeling of harmony and unity amongst the nation. Same was the case when Pakistan won the ICC World
Twenty20 in 2009 in England. People from all parts of the country were cheering for Pakistan and there was a sense of pride, which has become very unique and uncommon for the country.
Apart from a healthy entertainment, cricket teaches discipline to the youngsters and motivates them to take part in healthy activities.
However, the general masses of Pakistan have been deprived of their right of entertainment because of terrorism. Terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus in March 2009 on the morning of the third day of the second Test between Pakistan and Sri
Lanka at the Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Since that incident, no international cricket team is ready to travel to Pakistan and no more international cricket is being played in the country.
In the major cricketing countries like Australia, England, South Africa and India, there is a lot of attraction for the people in domestic cricket as well. They do not just focus on international cricket.
South Africa was banned from international cricket for almost two decades because of their internal problems regarding racial discriminations in 1970s and 1980s. However, South Africa improved the standard of domestic cricket in the country, which made sure
that they were still a force to reckon with in international cricket, when they made a comeback in 1991.
To be continued …
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