Nation celebrates cricket’s return

LAHORE: From Pakistan’s most popular fan Chacha Cricket to the head of State, a nation of 200 million celebrated the return of international cricket in Pakistan for six years on Friday.
Hundreds of fans battled the heat and stifling security checks in long queues hours before the start of the Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe.
Pakistan’s number one fan Sufi Jalil, famous as Chacha Cricket summed up what the day meant to him.
“I am born again today,” Jalil said before the start of the match, waiving the green and white Pakistani flag.
“It’s the happiest day in my life as I waited for 2269 days to be exact from March 3, 2009, to this day.
“We want to give the message that Pakistan is a country of peace-loving people and a few people who have negative thoughts will not get success in their efforts and that Pakistani flag will wave like this always,” said Jalil.
Ever since the Zimbabwe team’s arrival there were stringent security arrangements with 2,000 policemen guarding their hotel and the route to the stadium.
Fans were advised to reach the ground four hours before the scheduled start of the match, but that still failed to dissuade them from watching the match.
“I had to go through seven check points but I am still happy,” said Uzair Ehtesham, watching the historic proceedings from Imran Khan stands, named after Pakistan’s legendary paceman and captain.
The match has created a frenzy in the cricket-mad country, deprived of watching their stars on their home grounds as Pakistan played all its home matches on the neutral venues of United Arab Emirates.
Another well known fan Chacha Twenty20 Zaman Khan was on hand to watch his team after buying a ticket on the black market. “I came from Dubai yesterday to watch this momentous match,” Zaman said.