Lahore (Pakistan News Online) Pakistan’s renowned umpire Ahsan Raza, who was badly injured in the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, made history by umpiring in an ICC event at Gaddafi Stadium after 16 years.
Umpire Chris Gaffney was unable to continue umpiring during the ongoing Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore due to ill health. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ahsan Raza was assigned the responsibility of umpiring in Gaffney’s absence, while Rashid Riaz is serving as the fourth umpire.
The ICC Champions Trophy Group B match between England and Australia was played at Gaddafi Stadium, where Australia won the the match by 5 wickets.
These historic moments testify to the fact that terrorism has been eradicated from the country due to the tireless efforts of the Pakistan Army and security agencies and the nefarious intentions of the enemies have been crushed.
The tragic attack of 2009 and the sacrifice of Ahsan Raza
Ahsan Raza, who was a wicketkeeper and lower-order batsman, joined umpiring after retirement from cricket. He served as an international reserve umpire in the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2008-09. However, he was seriously injured in the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on 3 March 2009.
On that day, when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus, Ahsan Raza was in the van in which other match officials, including Simon Taufel, Steve Davis, Nadeem Ghauri and match referee Chris Broad, were travelling. The driver of the van was killed on the spot, while Ahsan Raza and other officials were seriously injured.
A battle for life and death
After being seriously injured, Ahsan Raza was rushed to the hospital, where he received 85 stitches and more than two dozen blood transfusions. According to doctors, it could have taken him one and a half to two years to fully recover, but his courage and passion brought him back to umpiring after just six months.
Government indifference and inattention
It is very sad that when Ahsan Raza was undergoing treatment in the hospital, no government figure even visited him. Even when the Sri Lankan team bus driver Meher Khalil was appreciated at the government level for his bravery, Ahsan Raza was not considered worthy of any award or recognition.
Patriotism and perseverance
After this incident of extremism, Ahsan Raza was advised to permanently settle in the UK, considering Pakistan unsafe, but he refused to leave his country and set an example of his determination and courage.
Return to Gaddafi Stadium – A clear message to terrorists
By umpiring at the ICC event at the Gaddafi Stadium after 16 years, Ahsan Raza proved that the fear of terrorism cannot intimidate Pakistanis. His return is not only a historic moment but also a manifestation of the restoration of sports in Pakistan and the victory of peace and stability.