The arrival of the Sri Lankan team has brought a new sense of exhilaration in Pakistani players and fans alike. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani expressed his joy over the team’s arrival and how it has indubitably opened the gates for international cricket in the country once again.
“The arrival of the Test team after 13 years will open the gateway for international cricket. and will send a message to the world that Pakistan is a safe country,” he said, mentioning that PSL had a huge role to play in cricket’s return to Pakistan.
Further adding how everything is happening according to schedule in the series, the chairman reiterated how it has strengthened the bond between the two countries. “It has been proved how deep the relations between Pakistan and Sri Lankan boards are,” he said.
“Prove your hospitality by attending the stadiums of Karachi and Lahore,” he added, urging the fans to show their passion in the stadium and support the teams with enthusiasm. Mani also thanked the sponsors for playing a vital role in promoting cricket in Pakistan in the country.
Similarly, captain Sarfraz Ahmed also requested the fans to unleash all their enthusiasm in the stands as the match will mark an important landmark in cricket history. “History will be made on Friday when Karachi will host the first bilateral ODI series since January 2009. I request all local cricket fans to be part of history so that they can tell the next generation that they were at the National Stadium when an international series was played,” he said.
Babar Azam and Shadab Khan shared similar sentiments, urging the crowd to witness them in action. “As a middle-order batsman, I am hoping there will be a similar crowd number when we will play Sri Lanka. The game is all about the fans and they need to come out to support cricket and the teams,” said Azam.
“I look forward to a similar response from the Karachi crowds, to come and support us. As professional athletes, we need our fans to be behind us to motivate and inspire us,” Khan added.
