LAHORE: The prestigious ICC World Cup Trophy, as part of its world tour, arrived here on Wednesday.
The glittering trophy, which will also go to Rawalpindi and Karachi on its Pakistan leg of the tour, was unveiled for media at the Gaddafi Stadium in the afternoon, and will be displayed at the same venue for public on Thursday.
The 12th edition of the game’s pinnacle event — which started back in 1975 — will be hosted by England and Wales from May 30 to July 14 next year.
Earlier, soon after its arrival, the Trophy took a round of the city on Lahore Tourism bus.
Discarded lanky fast bowler Mohammad Irfan held the trophy during the visit.
PCB’s director international cricket Zakir Khan, who was present on the occasion at the Gaddafi Stadium alongside Irfan, said Pakistan was the sixth country where the Trophy had arrived.
Left-armer Irfan speaking at the event said, “I am happy to be a part of this memorable moment. By holding this trophy I feel a renewed passion for Pakistan’s victory at the 2019 World Cup. [To achieve this] I would try my best to stage a comeback into the national ODI team for the World Cup.”
On Thursday, the Trophy will visit historical Government College, University and the Wagah Border before reaching the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.
On Friday, the trophy will travel to Rawalpindi/Islamabad from where it will go to Karachi which will be the last leg of its Pakistan tour.
The trophy during its biggest-ever tour starts its journey from the ICC headquarters in Dubai on Monday. Travelling across five continents, 21 countries and over 60 cities the tour will allow fans worldwide to have a glimpse of the glittering trophy that will be lifted by the winners at Lord’s on July 14.
During its journey leading up to the 2019 World Cup, the trophy will travel not only to the 10 countries competing in the showpiece, but for the first time ever will go beyond traditional cricket heartlands and connect with fans in other 11 countries where the game is developing including Nepal, US and Germany.
Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2018
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