THE SENIOR ACTION REPLAY.

Veteran cricketers have always had a second innings. Once you have played the game, it is hard to let go, and the cricketers' community often finds its way back to the field, like a homing pigeon.

It has been that way since cricket became something of a regular sport over a century ago. In fact, a formal scorecard exists from 1897 of an over-50s match between Northumberland (204-6 declared) and Durham (144-9). It was a single innings game, which was marked down as a draw. Clearly, the concept of limited overs had not arrived back then.

So, veteran cricketers have always got up some day, got in touch with a few and met up on a cricket field, far after their more active career on the cricketing circuit. Except, lately, it's all become more structured and a global reconnect at that. Where before the more organised would, after some effort, organise a bilateral series once every two or three years, veterans' associations are becoming better connected on a scale that is equal to the International Cricket Council itself.

The World Seniors/Veterans Cricket Body was formed a few years ago. Since then, there has been the Over-50s World Cup in Australia in 2018 - where Pakistan won all its group matches, including against India; beat England by five wickets in the semi-finals; and almost won the final against Australia, losing by just three runs eventually.

Pakistan has been awarded the hosting rights of the inaugural Over-40s Cricket World Cup. It is going to be no ordinary event of has-beens

Charted as a 45-over game, Pakistan had bowled out Australia for 166 in 44 overs with Jaffer Qureshi taking three wickets. Pakistan, after a good start, and having the likes of Ghulam Ali, Sagheer Abbas and Sajid Ali (semi-final centurion) in the line-up, collapsed to 94-9, until Babar Butt and Imtiaz Tarar made a valiant last-wicket stand that brought them so close.

The 2020 edition was called off after some matches had been played - Pakistan had won all their games till then, including against India - due to the spread of Covid-19, and the tournament will now be held in March next year.

Now, in September this year, the Over-60s World Cup is taking place again in Australia. Once again, Pakistan will be participating. Fawad Ijaz Khan, who had been the founder and the spirit behind Pakistan Veterans' Cricket Association (PVCA) 24 years ago and also put together the Pakistan team in that Over-50s World Cup in 2018, will once again be managing this participation.

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