Lahore celebrates international cricket return in style

Fans queue up in large numbers to witness their favourite stars in action.

LAHORE: If the return of international cricket to Pakistan still seemed like a dream to some, the roads and streets of Lahore filled with energetic fans just before the first T20I dispelled any remaining flickers of disbelief.

Despite the tightest security and pulsating heat of Lahore, the zealous
spectators thronged the Gaddafi Stadium’s parameters to watch their stars back in action.

Routes leading up to the stadium experienced heavy traffic and slow movement, while people walked for over a mile to beat the deadline of 1800 hours to gain entrance in time.

“The atmosphere is nothing short of electrifying and we can’t wait to experience what it would feel like in the arena,” 21-year-old Zubair Butt told The Express Tribune. “The weather is indeed uncomfortably warm, but seeing our favourite players in action is not something to be missed at any costs. All we want to do is to go there and see Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad hit fours and sixes.”

Several fans were busy getting their faces painted in bright colours — with the Pakistan flag dominating all designs — in the process of adding vibrancy to the overall atmosphere.

Pakistan shirts were also donned by around 15-20% audience in the stadium, which numbered over 40,000 with almost double the figure waiting outside the stadium.

Quite a few youngsters tried to outfox the policemen by trying to go through without tickets, but they were caught and sent away.

Such was the strictness maintained by the security officials that they were not even allowing their fellow officials to move through one counter to another security counter without their duty cards.

Barbed wires spread strategically on the road helped maintain the long queues, and several fans were asked to put away their bags if they wanted to enter the stadium.

Even the media officials had to face problems due to the tight inspection, but the security officials said the discomfort was a price the public had to pay for their and the team’s security. They requested cooperation and understanding from everyone attending the match. “There is a massive responsibility on our shoulders and we can’t overlook even the slightest detail,” they said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd,  2015.

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