Pakistan Celebrate Return of International Cricket

From Pakistan's most popular fan Chacha Cricket (Uncle Cricket) to the head of State, a nation of 200 million celebrated the return of international cricket in Pakistan for six years on Friday. (PCB Chief Calls for More Asian Support)

Hundreds of fans battled the 42 degree heat and stifling security checks in long queues hours before the start of the Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe at 7pm local time (1500GMT).

Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain was among the sold-out 27,000 crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

International cricket was suspended in Pakistan since terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus on March 3, 2009, which killed eight policemen and injured seven visiting players.

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 told AFP 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. (Zimbabwe Series More Than Just Cricket for Pakistan)

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. (Saviour Driver Still Remembers 2009 Terror Attack on Sri Lankan Team Bus)

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, who drives a private car, told AFP.

"This is my first match in Pakistan as I have been watching all matches outside Pakistan."

"It was difficult to go to the neutral venues as it needed a lot of money which I couldn't afford," added Jalil, who regularly visited UAE on various sponsorships.

And with Chacha around, fans gathered to have his autograph and asking him where he was going to sit.

"We are here to celebrate the return of cricket and want to sit in the same stand as Chacha," said Ambreen Khan, am 'O' level student.

"These are unforgettable moments and we hope and pray this remains the same."

Pakistan's Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq was also ecstatic.

"I am thrilled," said Misbah. "These are good times for Pakistan cricket and although I am not part of the Twenty20 team I am feeling like I am playing."

Misbah, appointed captain in 2010, had never led his country out in a home match.

"This is something I miss but I hope and pray that soon we have a full Test series in Pakistan."