New Zealand Players Were Crying, Says Inzamam-ul-Haq As He Recalls 2002 Karachi Bomb Blast

Inzamam-ul-Haq has shared his experience of the horrific bomb blast that took place in Karachi in 2002 when Pakistan were hosting New Zealand. The Black Caps were scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Pakistan. The hosts won the ODI series 3-0 before thrashing the visitors by an innings and 324 runs in the first Test.

However, the Test series came to a premature end due to the bomb blast. In the wake of the blast, New Zealand cut short their stay in Pakistan and returned home. Recalling the horrific incident, Inzamam-ul-Haq said both the teams were about to leave for the ground when he saw those horror visuals in front of his eyes.

The legendary batsman added that the teams were having their breakfasts when the blast occurred. The explosion, which was believed to have been the work of a suicide bomber, went off in a parked bus and reportedly killed 12 people, including 10 French defence technicians.

Inzamam-ul-Haq revealed that New Zealand players were in tears after the blast and even Pakistani players struggled to come to terms with the incident.

“When we went to Karachi there was a bomb blast. The blast happened after the 1st Test match in Lahore. Thanks to God that no player got injured. It was a horror full day. My room was on the side where the bomb blast happened. The mirrors from one side of my room broke and flew to the other side of wall. It happened with every room on that side of the hotel. I ran downstairs and when I reached there I saw New Zealand players crying in the swimming pool.”

“I myself watched that the mirrors and the curtains have come off but still asked the policeman about what just happened. He said it’s a bomb blast and asked me to go downstairs. The New Zealand team went back home that day and even our players coukd not sleep for at least 1 week,” Inzamam-ul-Haq recalled.

Fortunately for Pakistan cricket, the Karachi bomb blast did not really cost them big unlike the one that took place in Lahore in 2009 when the Sri Lankan team was in the country. The Sri Lankan team bus faced a militant attack and a number of players sustained serious injuries. Following the incident, Pakistan were forced to play their home games at a neutral venue for nearly a decade.

Also Read: MS Dhoni Has Always Been A Big Idol Of Mine: Jos Buttler

Also Read: We Would Do Anything To Get Cricket Back On TVs: Ben Stokes