By organizing the first T20 game after almost nine years, Pakistan succeeded in ending its cricket draught it has been facing since a terrorists attack on Sri Lanka squad in 2009. Since the arrival of the Zimbabwe team in Pakistan, Pakistan is celebrating the revival of International cricket in the country.
The enthusiasm of the crowd in Lahore during the two Twenty20 matches was unparalleled. It didn’t seem like it was the revival of International cricket in Pakistan, it was as if the team was playing the World Cup.
Fans travelled from all over the country to witness the historic moment, Zimbabwe becoming the first Test nation to visit in six years.
Zimbabwe’s cricket board decided to undertake the tour despite the warnings from the international cricket players’ association (FICA) and against the advice of the country’s own sports regulatory body. Pakistani audience overwhelmed with their sweet gesture, thanked the Zimbabwe team to make this possible for them.
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain was present on the opening ceremony of Pak-Zim series and personally thanked the visitors, just before the national anthems were played. And that’s when the chant went up, the stadium’s 24,000-strong crowd in unison shouted at the top of their lungs, “Zim-bab-we! Zim-bab-we! Zim-bab-we!”. A proud moment for every Pakistani.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was festive, and jovial, even hours before a ball was bowled. As the moment grew nearer, the wave became almost euphoric. Both T20 matches between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was full of entertainment. Though Pakistan white-washed Zimbabwe in T20 series but won millions of heart and lots of respect.
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