Cricket fans are upbeat, as the first Twenty20 of the two-match series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe set to be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Friday (today) ending the six years jinx of international cricket in the country, which was on hold after the attack on Sri Lankan team in the same city on 2009. The match will start at 07:30 while stringent security measures have been adopted.
Fans have been told to reach the venue about two hours before the start of the match. Before the start of match, a musical show will also be held under flood lights in which singers will perform. "The law enforcement agencies are using jammers and fans will have to pass through three layers of security, including metal detectors," said Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan.
Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis is hopeful of better performance from the team in the series against Zimbabwe. "We are hoping for an interesting competition and the team is ready to give tough time to Zimbabwe," he said. Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore said he is aware of weaknesses in Pakistan's cricket team.