KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Thousands of cricket lovers welcomed members of the Pakistan team upon their arrival in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It took Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan captain, nearly 30 minutes to get from his vehicle to his house as adoring fans clamoured for photographs.

Nearly a thousand people waited through the night to welcome their hero, some carrying children on their shoulders, and to get a glimpse of the man who led Pakistan to an unlikely win in the Champions Trophy.

Supporters unfurled a 70-foot-long national flag as Sarfraz’s motorcade entered the lane leading to his house. And as soon as the skipper waved the trophy from the balcony of his house, a wave of joy overpowered the crowd, sparking slogans of Pakistan Zindabad.

“This is your trophy and we won it just because of you,” said Sarfraz .

The flight carrying the skipper and fast bowler Ruman Raees landed in Karachi at 4.45am. The two cricketers were presented with Sindhi shawls and caps at the lounge as fans, as well as airport officials, didn’t miss an opportunity to take selfies with their heroes.

“Players were under pressure in the first match, but credit goes to the team management the way they motivated the players,” Sarfraz said. “It was a very big victory ... it will be remembered for a long time and we are savouring every moment of it.”

Ruman said he didn’t sleep for two days because of all the excitement. “I dedicate the win to the nation.”

Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair said he was proud of the “son of Sindh” Sarfraz Ahmed and expressed hope the victory would serve as motivation for aspiring youngsters. “He is the son of Sindh and we are here to accord him a warm welcome,” Mr Zubair said.

“We have not hosted any international team for the last eight or nine years. Pakistani players are barred from playing in the IPL (Indian Premier League), but I’m sure with this victory our players will get more opportunities.”—AP

Our Lahore correspondent adds: A warm welcome was accorded to four members of the triumphant team when they arrived at Lahore airport in the early hours. The four were top wicket-taker Hasan Ali, all-rounder Fahim Ashraf, middle-order batsman Babar Azam and opener Ahmad Shehzad.

As the arrival was scheduled for 2.30am, very few people were able to reach the airport, but passengers and their relatives present there gave a rousing welcome to the players and raised slogans in favour of the Pakistan team. Messages such as “Champion of champions. Team Pakistan! Welcome back after such a tremendous victory” were emblazoned on banners erected at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Punjab’s Sports Minister Jehangir Khanzada and Education Minister Rana Mashood Khan received the players. Although Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was scheduled to receive the players, he did not go due to security concerns.

A police band was present at the airport to honour the players.

Babar Azam said the victory was the result of team work. “The morale of the team is sky-high after winning this title.”

Fans surrounded Hasan Ali’s car and showered it with rose petals while the fast bowler, who bagged the highest number of wickets (13) in the mega event, smiled and waved from inside the vehicle.

Our Peshawar correspondent adds: Dashing opener Fakhar Zaman was received at the Bacha Khan International Airport by ecstatic fans eager to catch a glimpse of the new batting sensation.

Fans and relatives as well as MPAs and MNAs from Katlang, his hometown near Mardan, had already started converging on Fakhar’s residence in the morning. They rushed to greet him on his arrival amid tight security arrangements by police at his ancestral village. Talking to media, Fakhar, who scored an inspirational hundred in the final, said the victory against the traditional rivals was a gift to the nation. “It’s a big honour for me and my country to win the coveted Champions Trophy. It’s the biggest Eid gift for the nation and an answer to the prayers of our supporters who remembered us during Ramazan,” the soft-spoken Fakhar said.

“Honestly speaking, I was extremely upset when I got out caught off a no-ball, but it was like a dream come true when I returned to the pitch and at that moment I really wanted to do something extraordinary for my team and the nation,” said Fakhar, his eyes lighting up.

“I dreamt about making a century against India in the final and with the grace of Almighty Allah I struck one to help Pakistan win.”

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2017