In pictures: Pakistan celebrates revival of international cricket with World XI tour

Gaddafi Stadium rings with the roar of Pakistani fans witnessing the historic moment that cricket comes home again.
Dawn.com Published September 13, 2017

Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium was alive with the roar of Pakistani fans witnessing a rare exhibition with the revival of international cricket in the country on Tuesday after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team all but ended cricket on home turf save for a T20 series played by Zimbabwe in 2015.

The green shirts set a target of 198 runs for the star-studded World XI side, which fell 20 runs short of the challenge.

It was the first time many of the younger players on the team played an international game on home turf to a crowd of cheering Pakistanis.

World XI skipper Faf du Plessis said he was happy "play a small part in bringing cricket back to Pakistan."

After his side's defeat, du Plessis accepted graciously that "Pakistan played exceptionally well".

Rumman Raees (C) celebrates with teammate Ahmed Shehzad after taking the wicket of World XI batsman Tamim Iqbal. ─AFP
Rumman Raees (C) celebrates with teammate Ahmed Shehzad after taking the wicket of World XI batsman Tamim Iqbal. ─AFP

Spectators cheer at the start of the first T20I between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium. ─ AFP
Spectators cheer at the start of the first T20I between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium. ─ AFP

Members of the World XI team ride in traditional rickshaws before the start of the first match of the Independence Cup series between the World XI team and Pakistan in Lahore. ─ AP
Members of the World XI team ride in traditional rickshaws before the start of the first match of the Independence Cup series between the World XI team and Pakistan in Lahore. ─ AP

A soldier stands guard as spectators queue at an entry gate at the main entrance of the Gaddafi Stadium. —AFP
A soldier stands guard as spectators queue at an entry gate at the main entrance of the Gaddafi Stadium. —AFP

World XI players celebrate as Fakhar Zaman leaves the pitch. — AFP
World XI players celebrate as Fakhar Zaman leaves the pitch. — AFP

World XI cricketer Darren Sammy (R) celebrates after the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman during the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. ─AFP
World XI cricketer Darren Sammy (R) celebrates after the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman during the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. ─AFP

Babar Azam celebrates after scoring 50 runs during the first T20I between the World XI and Pakistan. ─ AFP
Babar Azam celebrates after scoring 50 runs during the first T20I between the World XI and Pakistan. ─ AFP

World XI cricketer Imarn Tahir (C) celebrates with teammate Darren Sammy after dismissal of Pakistani batsman Babar Azam. — AFP
World XI cricketer Imarn Tahir (C) celebrates with teammate Darren Sammy after dismissal of Pakistani batsman Babar Azam. — AFP

World XI captain Faf du Plessis (L) and teammate Tim Paine run between the wicket during the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 2017. —AFP
World XI captain Faf du Plessis (L) and teammate Tim Paine run between the wicket during the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 12, 2017. —AFP

Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad plays a shot as World XI wicket-keeper Tim Paine looks on. —AFP
Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad plays a shot as World XI wicket-keeper Tim Paine looks on. —AFP

Spectators cheer at the start of the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan. —AFP
Spectators cheer at the start of the first Twenty20 international match between the World XI and Pakistan. —AFP

World XI players arrive on the pitch in rickshaws painted with truck art at Gaddafi Stadium. —AFP
World XI players arrive on the pitch in rickshaws painted with truck art at Gaddafi Stadium. —AFP

Spectators held posters welcoming the World XI side. — AFP
Spectators held posters welcoming the World XI side. — AFP

Babar Azam receives the Man of the Match award from PCB Chairman Najam Sethi. ─ AP
Babar Azam receives the Man of the Match award from PCB Chairman Najam Sethi. ─ AP

Comments (26) Closed
Common Sense
Sep 13, 2017 02:09am
Slowly but steadily. All cricket stadiums in Pakistan will light up again InshAllah.
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Changez Khan
Sep 13, 2017 02:10am
DAWN well done on these beautiful pictures. Thanks World XI.
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Khaleesi
Sep 13, 2017 02:11am
Long live Pakistan, its cricket and spirit of its people. The Winter is Over!
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Ehsan
Sep 13, 2017 02:24am
It was so good to see Lahorites enjoy international cricket. Hope we can see action in other cities too. Thanks World Eleven and all those who made it happen.
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Hope.
Sep 13, 2017 02:25am
Zara num ho tu yeh matti bari zarhez hai saqqi. This nation keeps surprising the world and keep proving they are up to any challenge against any odds.
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Moose Al Athar
Sep 13, 2017 02:45am
Way to go Pakistan.
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Ali Ahmed
Sep 13, 2017 02:47am
Thanks to all especially all the World XI players who made this historic event to happen.
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Muhammad Arshad
Sep 13, 2017 02:49am
Excellent performance to bring Cricket back to Pakistan. Thank You PCB for a change.
Recommend 0
KB
Sep 13, 2017 02:53am
Congratulations Pakistani cricket team, the fans, and all Pakistanis for winning the first match of the return of cricket To Pakistan against the World X1
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Chanakya
Sep 13, 2017 02:53am
Too early to celebrate.
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Michael Khatana
Sep 13, 2017 02:54am
Welcome to all players who brought back the beloved game back to Pakistan. They are playing their part to tell the Islamic puritans that they will never succeed in their ugly goals. Killing innocent people is no answer in any religion; particularly in Islam, which promotes tolerance and peace and global brotherhood of mankind. The youngsters, who love cricket, should come to see their favorite players playing on the Land of the Pure. Show up and welcome the brave ones from all over the world.
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AZIZ
Sep 13, 2017 03:05am
Congratulations!!!
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Raja
Sep 13, 2017 03:27am
Fantastic day for pakistan and international cricket
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Justice
Sep 13, 2017 06:03am
Congratulation every one, today no one is winner or looser, but today our country Pakistan Won....Pakistan Zindabad
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Amer Rao
Sep 13, 2017 06:26am
Congratulations Pakistan and Thank You World XI
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Maverik
Sep 13, 2017 06:32am
Beautiful pictures. True representation of Pakistan.
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M. Emad
Sep 13, 2017 07:42am
Pakistanis should seriously think about how to improve internal security than celebrating the so-called 'revival of international cricket'.
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Muhammad
Sep 13, 2017 08:07am
Good to hear that world cricket is back in Pakistan. Thanks goes to duplessi, Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir, Thisara, Tim Paine, Morkel, Miller, Elliot, Tamim Iqbal and to the other of team members of W.XI, Thanks goes to PCB and Najam sethi
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RaMg
Sep 13, 2017 08:35am
Congratulations Pakistan. A costly lesson, nevertheless.
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Ashraf
Sep 13, 2017 08:40am
Great moments indeed. It would be unfair not to appreciate Najam Sethi for making it possible. Let's rise above personal prejudices and pride ourselves as a nation.
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Jamal Ahmad Anjum
Sep 13, 2017 09:27am
We are thankful to ICC for their successful effort to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. Everyone is happy but I miss Chacha Cricket. Where is he?
Recommend 0
Que
Sep 13, 2017 11:54am
Awesome on all levels!!!
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Boshu
Sep 13, 2017 06:49pm
@Hope. : YOur response tells me that we have not learnt anything. Let us take a moment to contemplate how we come to this situation where international players coming to Pakistan is a cause for great relief and celebration. Till then I do not see permanent change.
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Jp
Sep 15, 2017 09:40pm
Happy world 11 Won.
Recommend 0
A Manan
Sep 16, 2017 04:43am
Independence cup truly!
Recommend 0
Ragu
Sep 16, 2017 05:36pm
Pakistani cricket zindabad,
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