LAHORE: A good number of foreign players arrived Lahore to represent three teams in the back-to-back two eliminators of the 3rd HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), but a sudden change in the Lahore’s weather — from sunny to rainy — and overcast conditions remained a constant threat to the matches.

Around 16 players belonging to six countries namely England, West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh arrived in Lahore including Rilee Rossow, Mahmoodulllah, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Thisara Perera, Chris Green, Darren Sammy, Andre Fletcher, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan and Rikki Wassels.

Sir Vivan Richards’s arrival as mentor of the the Gladiators and the foreign commentators of PSL panel including Alan Wilkins and Darren Ganga also arrived in the Punjab capital. Both the commentators also visited the city along with former Pakistan captain Majid Khan.

Richards in a short message said that he is delighted to be in Lahore and hopefully this time his team would not disappoint the fans like last year and will qualify for the final and win it.

He said Pakistan was a safe country for cricket and he was thrilled and hoping for a good competitive cricket ahead. Meanwhile, thousands of fans queued up in front of the Gaddafi Stadium in anticipation of a great eliminator. While they had to wait for a few hours at the stadium gates and were made to go through tedious security procedures, the cricket mania dominated their feelings and they appeared jubilant at the fact that a top level international match is being held in Lahore once again.

The mood was clearly festive in Lahore as scores of fans specially dressed up for the great contest in colourful costumes, hats, face paints and banners.

The security, needless to say was very tight, with the Rangers and Police on constant vigil and hundreds of their men keeping ensuring hawklike presence as the start of the match closed in.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2018