Have you ever imagined that there’ll be a day when Pakistan will be celebrating a cricket series vs Zimbabwe with so much enthusiasm, passion and anxiety? At least, I have never imagined this. But then, it wasn’t in my wildest dreams either that our cricket grounds have to be deserted for six long years.
Sadly it has to happen and now every Pakistani is thankful to team Zimbabwe. Rightly so, after all they’re the first test playing nation to land in Pakistan after March, 2009.
Pakistani cricket fans have been waiting for matches at home grounds, ever since the dreaded attack on Srilankan cricket team bus happened in Lahore. The driver of the bus was killed along with the six policemen while Seven Sri Lankan players were wounded. Pakistan cricket has suffered a lot afterwards, especially fans of cricket.
This definitely is a celebratory moment for cricket fanatics all over Pakistan. From Zimbabweans boarding the flights to landing in Pakistan, every bit is being celebrated on social media. Players and coach of Zimbabwe were also seen live tweeting their journey, expectations and experiences.
https://twitter.com/LalaLoyalist/status/599959498795700224
Looking fwd to returning to Pakistan as opposition coach and reacquainting with friends. Team zim are & will be working hard for a win!
— Dav Whatmore (@dfwhatmore) May 17, 2015
Boarding the plane to pakistan for what promises to be a great series VS @TheRealPCB
Insha ALLAH all goes well for both teams and countries— Sikandar Raza (@SRazaB24) May 17, 2015
Zimbabwe cricket team arrives in Lahore http://t.co/VU3WhcLaBD #CricketComesHome pic.twitter.com/1mBmStNjEq
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) May 19, 2015
#CricketComesHome is the hash-tag being used to rejoice the moment by excited fans. The tickets of first T20 match, to be played on Friday are already sold out. Expect a pack house of above 60000 spectators to welcome back cricket in home grounds. Famous singers including Ali Zafar, Annie and Shahzad Roy will be performing live for the fans on 22nd May at opening ceremony.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe series comprises of two T20s and 3 ODI matches to be played at Gaddafi stadium Lahore and let’s just ignore the argument that why only at Gaddafi stadium :p After all Cricket is the real winner 🙂
The Zimbabweans are being given state guests security. Thousands of policemen have been deployed across Lahore and the team will be escorted from hotel to the stadium with no traffic and fool proof security arrangements. I hope and pray that the series is going to be entertaining if not nail biter and players can focus on cricket more than security.
Check out few interesting tweets of jubilation by Pakistani cricket fans.
The hashtag #CricketComesHome reminds me of the last time I watched a cricket match at Qaddafi stadium lahore ?
— sherry (@CherieDamour_) May 16, 2015
To hell with final exmas International Cricket is coming back to Pakistan babe #ThankYouZimbabwe #CricketComesHome pic.twitter.com/pGTOltogrb
— Darkaesthetic (@biweirdo) May 20, 2015
#PakvsZim on Friday!!! Can't wait #CricketComesHome
— Marium? (@ItsMarium_) May 17, 2015
22,000 tickets have already been sold in 8 hours for #PakvsZim #CricketComesHome pic.twitter.com/IOT5982msb
— Aman (@LalaLoyalist) May 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/zainabsbeautyC/status/599506087700606976
Posters made by my daughter for #PakvsZim #CricketComesHome #ThankYouZimbabwe @BoysInGreenPK @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/Zp1xpDaHMV
— KarachiQueen?? (@Frabiya) May 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/Faraankhan/status/599279816504815616
Go cricket fans and fill the Gaddafi stadium to celebrate cricket’s homecoming. Hope things went smoothly during and after the matches and team Zimbabwe can reach home safely.
Thank you Zimbabwe for coming. We love you.
Cricket Mubarak Pakistan.
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