LAHORE: Unlike the first two matches of the Independence Cup, the series decider between Pakistan and the World XI received a highly encouraging response from the country’s cricket-crazy fans here at the Gaddafi Stadium.

While enthusiasts in the first two games of the highly-awaited series had slowly and gradually gathered at the venue amid players in action on the field, the stadium on Friday had almost been packed to capacity much before the start of the match.

Friday being weekend also made the atmosphere extra festive at the stadium.

Amid reports suggesting Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was likely to come extra security measures were seen in and around the stadium.

Still a significant number of fans had reached the stadium before the first ball was bowled, indeed an encouraging sign for the game.

President of the West Indies Cricket Board Whycliffe Cameron also watched the match on a special invitation from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi.

West Indies are expected to visit Lahore in November this year to play three T20 Internationals subject to trouble-free Independence Cup to be followed by the one-off T20 International against Sri Lanka which will also be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium next month.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2017