2011 turned out to be very happening for cricket in Pakistan. Success on field was coupled with low points – such as seeing the former Captain Salman Butt, as well as players like Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer – getting caught and convicted in the spot fixing scandal. But through all this tumultuous time, the Pakistan Cricket team not only stood firm, but they also managed to succeed in most of their tasks – and came well-heeled out of all the disasters.

All in all, Pakistan won Test cricket series against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh (their only defeat was against West Indies and that too was in a drawn series. Pakistan even went on to create a new national record by winning 24 out of 32 matches in ODIs. With seven wins under their hats, as well as a Cricket World Cup semi final – the Pakistan Cricket team was definitely worthy of being in the limelight – for the right reasons. Their rankings also improved this year with them moving a place higher in both tests and ODIs as well as T20s. Compared with last year, the turnaround is dramatic, and surely cause for celebration no matter what.

All that said we have here compiled the top 5 cricketing moments of cricket in Pakistan for you:

#5 – Change Of Guard – Ijaz Butt Retires:

Ijaz Butt had a damaging tenure for Pakistani cricket as PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) chief. However, his tenure came to end this year, and Zaka Ashraf took his place – who has so far displayed a settled and professional approach. Zaka Ashraf has since then, outlined a set of key strategic objectives, showed willingness to back his players and reward performance. He has also appeared keen to heed the advice of noted ex-cricketers. Compared to what Ijaz Butt put Pakistani cricket through, Zaka Ashraf seems a godsend.

#4 – Shahid Afridi – The Mother of all Comebacks:

Shahid Afridi is to Pakistan Cricket what David Beckham is to Soccer. So it came as no surprise that Afridi shook Pakistan with his announcement of retiring from International cricket. Coupled with gasps and haws, this was definitely a low point in the entire year as Afridi had decided to resign due to PCB Chief Ijaz Butt. However, once Butt was gone, Afridi came back – and what an overwhelming return it was – one that left all the critics speechless.

#3 – Stable Leadership – Misbah Ul Haq Captaincy

Misbah took the leadership of the Pakistani cricket team at a very tumultuous time when the Pakistan cricket hero, Shahid Afridi had resigned. Misbah’s laid back attitude helped in stabilizing the team and bringing it back to life. Most of the wins for this year were under Misbah Ul Haq’s captaincy. And with more wins than losses this year, Misbah has also managed to silence most of his critics.

#2 – World Cup Mania – Reaching the Semi-Finals Despite Spot- Fixing

This match definitely counts as one that needs to go down as an important moment in the cricketing world this year. With emotions running high in both India and Pakistan, it seemed like the nations were taken by a storm by this match. The pre-match hype was in actual terms, contagious. With screenings arranged throughout these countries – as well as Internationally, this match proved that a match between India and Pakistan can truly unite the respective countries more than anything else. Ultimately India won the game and Pakistan lost, but they ended up appeasing a lot of their critics by making sure it was cricket that came out at the top.

#1 – Corrupt Cricketers Jailed – Players Imprisoned For Spot-Fixing

Even though corruption in cricket has been much talked about – there was little concrete done before this. The corruption scandal was the worst that hit Pakistan – as the best of their team members were implicated. The jailed players were Salman Butt – the former team captain as well as their top two bowlers, Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Asif. The judge handing out their punishment was quick to point out that all those convictions demanded jail terms “to mark the nature of the crimes and to deter any other cricketer, agent or anyone else who considers corrupt activity of this kind”. What remains in the future for these once-shinning stars does not look very hopeful.

That’s it then, that’s our recap for the year in Pakistan Cricket! If you think we missed something, please drop in a comment in the comment box below!