Karachiites show up in great numbers amid tight security to welcome international cricket
Pakistan outclass West Indies in a one-sided encounter to record a mammoth 143-run victory against the visitors.
Pakistan thrashed a jet-lagged West Indies by 143 runs in their Twenty20 opener on Sunday for the second biggest margin of victory in top-level T20 cricket.
Despite this being the first international match in Karachi — Pakistan's largest city — only 18,000 people watched the match in the 33,000-capacity stadium. But those present were in a celebratory mood.
“It's something we've been trying to prove, that it's safe to play here,” said Zehra Kazmi, a housewife.
Aftab Khan, a student, said he was hoping for more top-level cricket on Pakistani soil. “I can't express my feelings in words so we welcome all the players from the international cricket,” he said.
“They should come to Pakistan and play... because Pakistan is a very peaceful country.”
The three-match T20 series against the West Indies is seen as a big step towards reviving international cricket in Pakistan, which was suspended in 2009 following a 2009 militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.
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Comments (14) Closed
Apr 02, 2018 01:43am
Why haven’t they completed stadium roof? It should be investigated as this was suppose to be ready for final of PSL.
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Apr 02, 2018 01:49am
Love it.
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Apr 02, 2018 02:09am
Good to see cheering and lively crowd in Karachi Stadium.
Hope the same enthusiasm continues for the series.
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Apr 02, 2018 03:10am
It's good to see international cricket back in Pakistan. Inspite of the hassles of security checks and the summer heat 18000 people showed up for the match. That says a lot for the hunger and commitment for cricket in Pakistan.
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Apr 02, 2018 10:49am
Thanks Dawn
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Apr 02, 2018 10:54am
33,000 stadium capacity and only 18,000 turned up for the first international series in Karachi for ages! Well done
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Apr 02, 2018 11:07am
Great to see the pics and return of international cricket to Pakistan. Sport brings people together !
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Apr 02, 2018 11:07am
Congrats entire area is put under curfew to prove security is best in the city
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Apr 02, 2018 02:36pm
Excellent news. Keep it up and hang on tough.
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Apr 02, 2018 06:03pm
People of Karachi are probably the most patriotic Pakistanis you’ll see
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Apr 02, 2018 10:38pm
WoooooW
My Pic Thank you Sir For Uploding My Pic
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Apr 03, 2018 12:03am
Well done!
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Apr 03, 2018 11:32pm
nice to see international cricket in Karachi
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Apr 04, 2018 02:35pm
Coming from GCC to watch the match let me clear off the idea of people claiming for curfew like situation.
Any big match in even in normal security situation have the same setup where they at least block more then a kilometer radius around the stadium to facilitate the pedestrians flocking the stadiums. Shuttles runs through those roads ensuring convenience for spectators. There is nothing wrong with it, yes it was tougher for Karachiites to commute but prople on ground will tell you that university road was finally open for traffic on 2nd day of WI match which was closed on the first day. So as the culture of International sporting events return to normalcy things will improve so please dont complain for the moment and be patient.
Dont forget National stadium had become a dump yard full of garbage and trash few months ago. its an achievement already for Pakistanis. Let things settle down further.
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