17 captivating pictures that celebrate cricket coming home

Recapping the Independence Cup with a series of our favourite pictures

In one glorious week, the Gaddafi was thrice a flood of green and white. Chants of Pakistan Zindabad could be heard where for too long there had been nothing but deathly silence.

Obsessed with cricket, the fans put up with high ticket prices and traffic to not just witness history but be a part of it. At long last, it feels like cricket is almost home.  With the three matches against a team filled with genuinely world-class talent, the exile has almost come to an end.



As Pakistan lifted the Independence Cup Trophy and bid farewell to the World XI team, there was a palpable sense that this was more than just a game for this country.  This was Pakistan welcoming a long-lost lover back into its warm embrace.

It was a reunion well worth fondly recapping through a series of our favourite pictures.

1. The players all smiles as they landed in Lahore!

PHOTO: PCB

2. Captains Faf du Plessis and Sarfraz Ahmed pose with the Independence Cup trophy at Gaddafi Stadium

PHOTO: PCB

3. Starting to get used to the #CricketKiHalalala hashtag now

Pakistani spectators hold placards during the match. PHOTO: AFP

4. Faf du Plessis in a rickshaw is a sight we never thought we'd see

International World XI Faf du Plessis (C) sits with teammates in auto-rickshaws as they acknowledge the crowd at the main entrance of the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP

5. An offer of friendship for the players across the border 

Pakistani spectators hold placards at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP

6. Pakistani fans definitely know how to go all out when it comes to cricket 

Spectators wait in line in front of Gaddafi Cricket Stadium to watch the World XI cricket series. PHOTO: REUTERS

7. The moment Shoaib Malik made his place in the history books as he became Pakistan's top scorer in T20 internationals with 1702 runs

PHOTO: AFP

8. Ahmed Shahzad stunned us all with a captivating innings in the final match

Ahmed Shahzad celebrates after scoring 50 runs during the third and final match. PHOTO: AFP

9. Shahid Afridi and Misbah ul Haq graced Gaddafi Stadium with their presence

Afridi and Misbah watch the final T20 match at Gaddafi Stadium. PHOTO: PCB

10. O captain, my Captain!

Misbah waves to the crowd as he takes a lap of honour during the last match. PHOTO: AFP

11. Crowd goes wild as Afridi makes his signature pose during lap of honour during the third match

Afridi beckons as he takes a lap of honour. PHOTO: PCB

12. Picture perfect!

Pakistan team group photo with the former captains. PHOTO: PCB

13. This placard captured the essence of the series

Pakistani spectators cheer as they watch the first Twenty20 international match. PHOTO: AFP

14. The moment Pakistan won the series!

Pakistani cricketers celebrate after winning the third and final Twenty20 International match against World XI. PHOTO: AFP

15. It wasn't Pakistan vs World; it was something else entirely

PHOTO: REUTERS

16. CHAMPIONS!

Pakistani cricketers pose for a photograph with trophy after winning the third and final Twenty20 International match against World XI. PHOTO: AFP

17. Thank you World XI!

Spectators hold a sign during the final match of World XI cricket series. PHOTO: AFP