Cricket is such a charming game that even it has attracted the world leaders. This has globally helped to promote the noble cause of peace and has brought the people of different parts of the world closer.

Indeed not only individuals but also Nations have been benefited by cricket. The English people owe their self discipline and consequent greatness to a considerable extent to the game of Cricket. The Duke Wellington once said. "The battle of Waterloo was won on the strength of the great discipline and Power of self control learnt by Englishman on the field of Eton", a great tribute to cricket.

Incidentally President of USA George W. Bush has also shown keen interest in the game of cricket during his current visit of Pakistan. He met local school children and members of Pakistan team during a brief Cricket session arranged by the US embassy on its lawn on 4th March 2006. Chairman PCB Sheharyar M. Khan, Cricket captain Inzamam -ul- Haq and opener Salman Butt were present on the occasion. Inzamam -ul- Haq gave some tips on Cricket to the US President. The President enjoyed the session and faced three gentle deliveries bowled by Pakistan skipper and then also bowled a few.

In fact the first US President to witness a cricket match and that too a test match was Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower who had visited National stadium Karachi, on 8th December 1959 to witness the fourth days play of the third test match between visiting Richie Benaud’s Australian team and Pakistan. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was presented with a Pakistan blazer on the occasion. Interestingly, on wearing the Pakistan blazer, Richie Benaud and Australian team manager Sam Loxton addressed him in a light mood, 'Mr. President You have joined the other camp'. American President replied 'Of course I am wearing their colours'. Ike signed autograph on a bat and examined a Pakistan made Cricket ball. On arrival of the two Presidents National Anthems were played, play had stopped and players stood to attention which was an unusual happening in a Cricket test. Both teams were later presented to the US President. The then President of Pakistan Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan accompanied Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

As Cricket is a game of records thus for the sake of record that visit made Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower the first President of United States of America to see test cricket.

Let us hope that after his recent visit to Pakistan President George W. Bush has returned home with more information and better knowledge of the game.

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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