Champions return to hero’s welcome

Fans throng airports to receive triumphant cricketers

PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE/ KARACHI: Thousands of cricket fans, including dignitaries, thronged four major airports of the country to give a hero’s welcome to the triumphant Pakistan cricketers on their return from England after thrashing arch-rivals India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Holding the trophy, Pakistan’s ODI and T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed emerged from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport amid loud cheers and chants of ‘Long live Sarfraz!’ as a police band played patriotic songs nearby.

“[We’ve won] thanks to Allah and the prayers of the whole nation,” Sarfraz said in a brief comment as he jostled his way through a crowd of fans. Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar were also present at the airport to welcome the winning captain.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said, “The Champions Trophy is a gift for the whole nation. Pakistan Super League [PSL] helped us unearth stars for Pakistan. We will make every effort possible to hold PSL matches on Pakistan’s soil in the future.”

Pakistan’s victory by 180 runs on Sunday had sparked widespread celebrations in the country. Sarfraz was showered with rose petals and given a traditional skull cap and ‘ajrak’ shawl. Sarfraz was then driven away under escort by police commandos along with teammate Rumman Raees.



‘Unforgettable’ homecoming

Sarfraz’s residential block in central Karachi was adorned with colourful lights and Pakistan’s flags, while fans climbed on rooftops and balconies to watch him return home.

Sarfraz thanked the fans for a grand reception. “I want to thank all the fans who came here and gave me and Rumman an amazing welcome in Karachi and to other players in Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. This is an unforgettable memory.”

The 30-year-old lauded the team management for their support while praising his teammates for putting up a great show. “Credit goes to the team management for motivating the players which enabled them to make a brilliant come back in the tournament,” he said. “We played together as a team and that is why you all saw improvement in every department after we lost the first match.”

The wicketkeeper-batsman also admired the impact of the youngsters, who rose to the occasion when it mattered. “We had a young team where nine players were playing an ICC event for the first time and three players made ODI debut during the tournament,” he said. “It is a good sign for Pakistan cricket that youngsters like Fakhar Zaman, Rumman Raees, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali have performed on important occasions in big matches.”



Sarfraz, also the captain of Quetta Gladiators, then said that the Champions Trophy victory has helped them win the hearts of Pakistan cricket fans. “It is a really big victory for the fans of Pakistan cricket and for the team as well,” he said. “The win was the result of efforts put in by the whole team. I hope this victory will be remembered for a very long time. We are proud that we won the hearts of our people.”

‘Malik’s words breathed new life’

Fakhar, player of the final of the Champions Trophy, was given a grand welcome in Peshawar on his return from England after which he revealed that veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik had boosted the morale of the team after the defeat in the opening game against India.

“After the defeat against India, we had a long meeting,” said Fakhar while talking to the media. “Malik said things that breathed a new life into the players. The seniors, the captain and the coach decided then and there that we will play the rest of the tournament in a different manner.”

The 27-year-old, who scored his maiden ton in the biggest match of the event, further said that he had enjoyed batting against Indian star spinner Ravichandaran Ashwin. “It’s always pleasing to score against a world-class bowler, so it really felt nice when I was hitting boundaries on Ashwin’s bowling,” he said.



 Lahore welcome

Four players of the national cricket team arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The players – Hasan Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf and Ahmed Shehzad – were warmly welcomed at the airport by provincial ministers and a large number of cricket lovers.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also scheduled to greet the team members, but he later cancelled his visit owing to security concerns.

Welcoming the ‘Champion of the Champions’, Shehbaz, in a message said that the players who gave the nation gift of the Champions Trophy were heroes. “The warm welcome of players of Pakistan’s Champion team is a proof that the nation welcomes its heroes with open arms”.



Islamabad rejoice

A similar scene was witnessed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport where a special squad of the district police presented salute to Shadab Khan and Immad Wasim.

Cheers from the cricket fans greeted the players.

Mishal Malik, wife of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, was also present at the airport to welcome the cricketers. Talking to media-persons, she said people in Indian Occupied Kashmir celebrated Pakistan’s victory.

Junaid Khan is expected to land at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Wednesday.