Not Zimbabwe, but it’s India that Pak fans crave for
THE GADDAFI STADIUM IN LAHORE TURNED INTO A FORTRESS AND SIMILAR SCENES CAN BE EXPECTED FOR THE NEXT TWO GAMES
MUMBAI: Pakistani fans are in a festive mood after the series that marks the return of international cricket in their country after two years began on Tuesday evening amid tight security
The home side, playing the first T20I of their ‘Independence Cup’ series, defeated the ICC World XI captained by South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis by 20 runs.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore turned into a fortress for the opener and similar scenes can be expected for the next two games at this venue.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electrifying to say the least, and as evening approached, even social media was flooded by a sea of Pakistani fans celebrating the ‘return of cricket’ on their land.
The Zimbabweans had toured Pakistan for a limited-overs series back in 2015, but it is the ICC World XI — consisting players from as many as seven countries and Andy Flower as their coach — has captured the attention of the nation like no other.
From former cricketers such as Shoaib Akhtar to Mohammad Hafeez — who is not part of the Pakistan side for this series — as well as fans have celebrated the occasion.
In a video interview to Espncricinfo, a fan wanted to see India play Pakistan.
She said, “I watched the Zimbabwe versus Pakistan match. It was a very different experience as I would watch these players on TV and I was watching them in reality. The feeling of being in a cricket-mad crowd gets to you. You get in such a rhythm that despite being a Pakistani you start supporting the other team.”
“Despite all the provinces and the differences we become ‘Pakistan’. You get a feeling of patriotism. Sports is something that has a very positive impact on the society.
“There were security issues earlier, but once it gets sorted out, when we know we have infused confidence in other teams like Zimbabwe, we even had the PSL final here, we can get other teams here, especially India.”