#CricketComesHome: And Lahore parties...

Colour, dance and music galore as PSL comes to town with a bang

LAHORE: Lahore burst into life on Sunday as cricket fans took over the metropolis gunning for their favourite teams and shunning fears of terrorism that has kept away international cricket for eight years now.

All roads leading to Gaddafi Stadium were full of cricket lovers, wearing official T-shirts of Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiator, which faced each other in the Pakistan Super League final on Sunday.

The entire city gave a festive look with women and children joining the predominantly male crowds to enjoy the biggest battle of PSL Season II.

Muhammad Faizan, a young cricket fan, told The Express Tribune he had been supporting Peshawar Zalmi since the start of the PSL because of all-rounder Shahid Afridi. “Though he is not playing today owing to an injury in his right hand, but my well wishes are with his team,” he added.



Student Umaima Sultan, dressed up in a specially prepared purple dress with purple and golden face paint, had come to Gaddafi Stadium with her family.

“I have a bet with my brother that my team, Quetta Gladiators, will win the match. My father is also supporting me and my team while my mother is with my brother supporting Peshawar Zalmi,” she said smilingly. “There will be two battles today – one among the cricket players in the ground and the other among my family members.”



Qamar Zaman, a university scholar, was grateful to the Almighty that cricket had returned to the country after a long wait. “Pakistan has made history by hosting the PSL season II final in Lahore,” he believed. “Today’s event will prove that Pakistanis are a peaceful nation.”

Qamar added the atmosphere in the city was just like on eid day. “Whether Quetta Gladiators or Peshawar Zalmi bag the trophy, everyone is happy as Pakistan will win today,” he said.

Social Media

Social media platforms, like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, were also abuzz with the PSL final. #CricketComesHome and #PSLFinalLahore were the top trending topics in Pakistan with fans sharing match day tickets and pictures of their favourite cricket stars and cricket teams.

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