When it comes to talking about unforgettable moments in sports that carved a place in history, Pakistan has had its fair share.
There have been numerous times during Pakistan’s sporting history when the nation witnessed glory against all odds and that is what made all those triumphs all the more special.
We are not the most gifted nation as far as resources are concerned but there is no lack of talent and passion in the sports field. Not only has the country produced legends in various sports, it has also left long lasting legacies that are, to date, fondly remembered and cherished.
For a country that has been subjected to so many challenges in its history, the achievements in sports despite all the barriers are worth remembering and celebrating.
Here are some of our fondest historical moments in sports:
FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola:
The brand is a long standing partner of FIFA and has the exclusive rights of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour that gives an opportunity to countless fans around the world to see the most cherished trophy, as it travels from country to country.
In 2018 alone, the trophy tour will visit 91 cities in 51 countries and thanks to Coca-Cola, Pakistan will be one of them as the trophy is expected to arrive in Lahore on February 3, 2018.
This will also be Coca-Cola’s 4th global FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour.
2017 ICC Champions Trophy:
Pakistan has had a history of reversing the situation when people least expect it and 2017 ICC Champions Trophy was one such example.
Having lost to India in the first match, the situation seemed bleak but the team spun the situation completely through their perseverance and changed the way the world thought about Pakistan’s cricket team – the match was a true image fixer!
After beating Sri Lanka, South Africa, and then England, they met the arch rivals India again in the final, and won the match and the trophy convincingly by 180 runs. Now who can forget that adrenaline rush of the day?
Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team’s Victory in the Asian Games:
Women in Pakistan are breaking all stereotypical boundaries in various fields and are making their mark, be that in the field of sports or science, and the list goes on. The team retained its gold medal at the Asian Games in 2017 after defeating Bangladesh in the final match.
The Street Child World Cup Team Winning Bronze in 2014:
This team’s debut performance in the Street Child World Cup in Brazil was nothing less than astounding. The children’s team was able to pave their way to the semi-finals after beating India, Kenya, Mauritius, and the Philippines. After the 4-3 loss to Burundi, Pakistan faced the US in a tough game for the third position and ended up being victorious.
Naseem Hameed — South Asia’s Fastest Woman:
Naseem Hameed won gold for Pakistan for the 100 meter track event, at the 2010 South Asian Games, thus achieving the title of the ‘Fastest Woman in South Asia’. Naseem clocked 11.81 seconds, beating Sri Lanka’s Pramila Priyadarshani by 0.12 seconds.
Considering that no Pakistani woman had acquired this accomplishment in the 26 year history of the regional games, it was indeed a moment of great pride which also served as an example for burgeoning women empowerment in the country.
The ICC World T20 Win:
The final of the T20 match took place at Lord’s in June 2009 when Pakistan met Sri Lanka for the final fateful game. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, and set a target of 139 runs.
Pakistan was easily able to chase the target and won the match by eight wickets as Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik stood firm on the pitch while going for a strong match winning partnership.
Coca-Cola Bringing Olympic Torch to Pakistan After 44 Years:
Coca-Cola has always been renowned to evoke excitement through the awe-inspiring campaigns it runs around the globe. In 2008, it helped bring the long awaited Olympic Torch to Pakistan touching Pakistani soil after a huge gap of 44 years. As the country became one of the destinations for the global relay of the torch, it marked a historic day on April 16, 2008. The Olympic Torch travelled across five continents, during a 130-day journey before finally going to Beijing in August where the opening ceremony was to take place.
1992 ICC Cricket World Cup:
The Imran Khan led cricket team left the world in awe of its performance as a result of the final victory as Pakistan defeated England in the fateful final match. Wasim Akram’s hat trick was a game changer. The song, ‘The World is coming down, the flags are up. Who’s gonna be number 1, who’s gonna be the king’ carried a different kind of tune that day which is still cherished today.
Javed Miandad’s Game Changing 6 in Sharjah in 1986:
Leave it to the Pakistanis when it comes to gaining a jaw dropping audience that can’t really tell what really hit them.
In the final match of the Austral-Asia Cup, Pakistan won the toss and invited India to bat first which then set a target of 246 runs over a period of 50 overs. While chasing the target, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the game seemed to be slipping through the fingers like fine sand. Javed Miandad stood firm but was failed to achieve a decent batsmen partnership.
In the last over, Pakistan had just 3 wickets in hand and Wasim Akram had got run out after the first ball of the over while another had been bowled out on the fourth ball. Miandad was then on strike and Pakistan needed 4 runs off the last ball. Chetan Sharma swung a full toss and Miandad took his chance to hit a six, pulling Pakistan into an unexpected victorious position. Those who witnessed it in the 80’s era still remember it fondly.
Jehangir Khan’s Unbeaten 555 Match Winning Run:
Jehangir Khan’s the squash prodigy is renowned to have been unbeaten for 555 consecutive matches. This happens to be the longest unbeaten run in any sport as Jahangir won each and every match spanning over 5 years.
Pakistan Hockey Team’s First Ever Gold in Olympics:
Pakistan’s first ever gold found its way to the country as the hockey team won the final in 1960 in Rome Olympics. Up till now, Pakistan’s hockey team has won 3 more gold medals in Olympics.
Hockey World Cup 1971 Victory:
The Pakistani hockey team won its first World Cup in 1971 in an exciting final game against Spain and made history.
