This year the Belgium Cricket Academy made their annual practice tour to the heart of the Cricket. Pakistan is a permanent full member of the International Cricket council (ICC) member. A cricket team formed of the “Most Valuable Players” from the Belgium Cricket Academy concluded this week their official tour to the state of Punjab, Pakistan. The board of the Belgium Cricket Federation recived a proposal invitation early March this year, and decided positively after the AGM and General election on 19th March 2016.

The European nations are looking forward to a revised or restructured World Cricket League structure in 2017 from ICC. Belgium expected to participate in the European Division 2, which is a pathway cricket to the world cup cricket. As more than half of the Belgian cricket community has roots in the south-asian countries; the member clubs were happy with the positive decision of the Executive Committee of the Belgium Cricket Federation. The members get an opportunity to visit a strong Cricket nation, unlike anyone else in Europe. Everyone hope that this could be very positive for skills-building and practice sessions.

The Belgium XI team from the BCF Cricket Academy arrived in Lahore, Pakistan on 20th April 2016. After settling down and few practise sesisons, the team paid visit to various locations on 22nd April, in the historic city of lahore along with the provincial government officials. The players also visited Government Islamia High School orphange house, accompanied with Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood, where they distributed Belgian Cricket T-shirts to the students and also played cricket with them. Later, they went to the Gulshan Iqbal Park where the team’s players placed bouquets in the remembrance of the martyrs of the suicide bombing at the site and prayed for their forgiveness.

During their stay in Punjab, Pakistan, Belgium X1 played three cricket matches against Lahore Gymkhana, Mureedke and Lahore region. It was a great tour with regards to the  exposure and experience of cricket in Pakistan for the Belgian players. Players played cricket against experienced and renowned first class players like Salim Malik.

It was a warm reception, hospitality and all assistance provided to Belgium X1 cricket team visiting Pakistan given by Punjab government to our players.

Their visit was extensively covered by the Pakistani local press and television channels.

click on this link to view the pictures available from the tour.