Preparations have been avidly underway for what is touted as the day ‘cricket comes home.’ The entire country has come together at long last to welcome the return of international cricket, with 11 fantastic players entitled as the World XI from around the world gathering to play Pakistan in what will be an enthralling three-day series.
In upholding true expectations, everyone had incredibly high expectations with Independence Cup’s opening ceremony
With everyone decked in their best outfits.
And preparations under way
To the Lahore mayor's office: come on guys, it's really not that hard to get a photo in the national strip for Rumman. not that Islu minds pic.twitter.com/tbwO0LN3ph
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) September 12, 2017
And many remembering possibly the greatest moment in Pakistani cricket history
? 25th March 1992
With international cricket returning to Pakistan today, re-live the moment @TheRealPCB lifted the @cricketworldcup! ??? pic.twitter.com/XQT9sydsPH
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) September 12, 2017
The entire country was gripped in excitement
Walled City Authorities arrived in Mughal costumes too.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi declared how important this series was too
This is a BEST #of 3 match series. As such there is no FINAL match. Therefore buy tickets NOW for all three matches. ?
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) September 12, 2017
And while Boom Boom Afridi too expressed his zest at the match…
Pakistan r u ready!! All set to welcome the WORLDXI #CricketKiHalalala ?? special thanks to Brackets https://t.co/9HpNkxzXom pic.twitter.com/bRpN5zyXrw
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 12, 2017
Rumor had it that a special tribute will be made to Lala
Shahid Afridi will be given farewell in today's #PAKvWXI match – https://t.co/ntMOAhCwgc pic.twitter.com/EyzLA2HqwH
— zemtvs (@Zemtvs) September 12, 2017
Lahore is officially under siege, with roads blocked around the stadium as everyone makes their way to catch a glimpse of the match
Lahore right now ❤️#PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/4B0CaFq4qx
— Ihtisham ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 12, 2017
While in the morning the stadium was gloriously empty as final touches were put in place…
Gaddafi Stadium all set to host historic World XI clash#PAKvWXI #CricektKiHalalala https://t.co/50n781EB6I pic.twitter.com/4Ici16FK7n
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 12, 2017
Have a look at how it filled up before the match…
Gaddafi Stadium is buzzing already.. #CricketComesHome pic.twitter.com/EcSmKnJFmk
— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) September 12, 2017
Gorgeously rich rickshaws were set in place to take part in the Opening ceremony too, and hopes for a spectacular opening ceremony were awaited
Rickshaw with traditional Pakistani art, all set to grace the opening ceremony tonight! #PAKvWXI #CricketComesHome https://t.co/fuH7cEw73G pic.twitter.com/MPw4VYmQNg
— Geo News Sport (@geonews_sport) September 12, 2017
And the World XI were welcomed into the grand Gaddafi stadium on these very rickshaws
Have a look at the wonderful entrance below
World XI rides the flashy rickshaws.. Great display of Pakistani culture.. #CricketComesHome pic.twitter.com/mqKlOHqG3c
— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) September 12, 2017
The players adoringly interacted with the growing audience as they passed by
hahah pic.twitter.com/b5iKRvC6av
— Nabil (@condeshunzz) September 12, 2017
Imran Tahir had an emotional message too, saying “it’s really nice to come home”
#PAKvWXI: It's really nice to come and play in #Lahore, says @ImranTahirSA #CricketComesHome pic.twitter.com/5e8zYlFeXU
— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) September 12, 2017
And while Pakistanis were expecting a little more
No crowd and no opening ceremony???
— T. (@_mastam) September 12, 2017
Looks like no opening ceremony etc
— Nabil (@condeshunzz) September 12, 2017
With some awaiting the opening ceremony a little too passionately
I existing to watch opening ceremony of world XI vs Pakistan t20 match 1st today
— Zahid Khoso (@zahidkhoso12) September 12, 2017
The tossing of the match quickly unraveled, ending any scope of expecting something more in the opening ceremony
#PAKvWXI: #WorldXI has won the toss and elected to bowl first against #Pakistan#CricketComesHome #DunyaUpdates #Cricket #ICC pic.twitter.com/HXtgScd4A3
— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) September 12, 2017
Okay, so by the standards of other events, the opening ceremony was a little underwhelming, we were hoping for a little more. It really was wonderful that the players arrived on rickshaws dipped in Pakistani art, however, everyone expected a grand, grand ceremony. What did you think of the ceremony? Was it up to your expectations?