Pak cricketers get a warm welcome
ISLAMABAD: Even after the special convoy escorting Sarfraz Ahmed from the airport got within sight of his Karachi home in the early hours of the morning, it took the Pakistan captain nearly a halfhour to get from the vehicle to his house as a throng of adoring cricket fans clamored for photographs.
Fans decorated the street and waited through the night to welcome their hero, with some carrying children on their shoulders to get a glimpse of the man who led Pakistan to an unlikely win in the Champions Trophy in London.
Supporters unfurled a 70-foot (21-meter) long national flag and carried it in the street as Ahmed drove in, as police tried to clear a path.
Ahmed waved the trophy from the balcony of his house as he was showered with rose petals as the crowd chanted “Pakistan zindabad,” meaning long live Pakistan.
“This is your trophy and we won it just because of you,” Ahmed said.
Thousands of fans stayed up late across the country to welcome home members of the Pakistan squad.
Ahmed and fast bowler Ruman Raees arrived in Karachi at 4:45 am with the trophy that Pakistan had won for the first time.
Both cricketers were presented with traditional Sindhi shawls and caps at the lounge as fans, and airport officials, didn’t miss an opportunity to take selfies with their heroes.
Pakistan stunned the cricketing world on Sunday when it beat archrival and hot favorite India by 180 runs in the final.
Ahmed’s squad overcame a terrible start in the event beaten by 124 runs in the first group match by India - to beat South Africa, Sri Lanka and England on the way to the championship match.
“Players came under pressure in the first match, but credit goes to the team management the way they motivated the players,” Ahmed said. “It was a very big victory ... it will be remembered for a long time and we are enjoying every moment of it.”
Raees said he didn’t sleep for two days because of all the excitement following Pakistan’s first win in since the 1992 World Cup.
“I dedicate the win to the whole nation and we enjoyed the victory a lot, congratulations to the whole country,” Raees said.