PSL fever unites the nation

Enthusiasts throng Gaddafi Stadium amid tight security

LAHORE: It was a day full of celebrations and festivity not only for Lahore where the Pakistan Super League final was held but for cricket fans all across the country.

International cricket returned to Pakistan after eight years and enthusiasts from all over the country thronged the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to rejoice over the moment and watch the final faceoff between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.

Amid tight security, the city wore a festive look with fans wearing shirts of the teams they were supporting.

Waiting in long queues for hours to get past the security checks hardly deterred cricket enthusiasts.

Fans proved that cricket was indeed a uniting factor for all the citizens despite their ethnic or political differences. Though the stadium was occasionally filled with ‘Go Nawaz Go’ chants the match ended on a positive note.

Even political leaders, known to be getting into a war of words, were seen putting differences aside and enjoying the game. Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali and PTI senior leader Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar watched the PSL final in the same enclosure, while former senior PTI leader Javed Hashmi was sitting in a neighbouring enclosure.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, a young cricket fan, Muhammad Faizan, said he was supporting Peshawar Zalmi since the start of the league because of Shahid Afridi. While a student, Umama Sultan supported Quetta Gladiators.

“My father is also supporting Quetta while my mother and brother are supporting Peshawar,” she said.

Today’s event has proved that Pakistanis are a cricket loving and peaceful nation. It does not matter which team wins it is our collective victory and success of Pakistan,” Qamar Zaman, a university scholar said.

Like Lahore, Peshawar too celebrated the return of cricket to Pakistan.

The match was screened at a lot of places including the Hayatabad Sports Complex, Saddar Bazar, Peshawar Services Club.

The Hayatabad was packed to capacity with cricket enthusiasts.

A charged Peshawar Zalmi supporter Nabi Jan told The Express Tribune that he had hoped to watch the match live at Lahore but couldn’t get the tickets.

The match was also screened at Peshawar’s Saddar Bazar besides juice points, ice cream shops and other food outlets were opened for cricket fans till the match concluded.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM PESHAWAR)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2017.