LAHORE: After six years long wait, Lahore got its cricket festivity back on Friday when a large number of cricket lovers thronged the Qadhafi Stadium to watch the first T20 fixture between Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Chanting slogans of joy, they congratulated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on convincing the Zimbabwe cricket team to visit Pakistan.

A number of youngsters on motorcycles and in cars took to the thoroughfares leading to Qadhafi Stadium before the start of the match. Expressing joy and happiness, they were holding placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their favourite cricketers and Pakistani flags. Some of them were holding even the Zimbabwe flags.

A majority of youngsters took to Canal Road and Ferozepur Road to reach the stadium. On Canal Road, they performed wheelie while holding flags to express jubilation. On Jail Road, another group of motorcyclists appeared to add to the atmosphere of festivity.

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“We must salute the Zimbabwe team which came here by ignoring everything. It is not a small thing as Zimbabwe has taken a bold step to revive international cricket in Pakistan,” Kashif, a motorcyclist, said while proceeding for the stadium.

At all gates of the stadium, even the two major entry gates (from Ferozepur Road and Gulberg), there were a huge number of people. Though there were extraordinary security measures, they did not bother the cricket enthusiasts, considering them necessary for security of the teams.

“We are not tired really despite the fact we have been waiting for our turn to enter the stadium for the last two hours. It is just because of our happiness and good sentiments for the both Zimbabwe and Pakistani teams,” Fahad, a spectator at a gate of the stadium said.

Many of the spectators had come from the adjoining districts of Lahore and other parts of the country.

“We all friends have just come here not only to watch the match but also to cheer for Zimbabwe and Pakistan cricket teams. We pray that the whole tour of the visitors go in a peaceful manner,” Mujahid, a resident of Okara, said while entering the stadium.'

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2015

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