Pakistan team returns home to rapturous welcome

The celebrations which had followed Pakistan's 1992 World Cup win were relived today as Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was given a rapturous welcome here on his return from London with the Champions Trophy.
From the moment he came out of the Karachi International Airport in the wee hours of today, hundreds of fans surrounded him and flooded him with flower bouquets as he was taken home in official protocol provided by the Sindh government.
Hundreds of fans stayed up late and lined the streets and followed his car from the airport to his residence where the entire streets were lined up with people eager to get a glimpse of the trophy and Sarfraz.

The scenes were similar to those witnessed when Pakistani players returned home after winning the 1992 World Cup.
But whereas 25 years ago the entire Pakistan team had returned home together, Sarfraz and pacer Rumaan Raees landed in Karachi while some of the other players reached their home destination.
Some of the players have also stayed back on vacations. Sarfraz had to come out on the balcony of his home holding high the trophy as hundreds of fans lined up in the streets outside and near his residence chanted Pakistan Zindabad as patriotic songs were also played.

Some even climbed on rooftops and balconies to catch a glimpse of their winning captain who shouted out loud that this trophy belonged to the people of Pakistan.

From the airport to Sarfraz's residence, fans had also brought a special 70-foot long national flag and carried it in the street as Sarfraz drove home in the special convoy.
The captain later told the media that the team's victory in the Champions Trophy final was one of the most memorable moments of Pakistan cricket history.
"I am happy we have already created a legacy and hopefully there will be more to come," he said.
He said Pakistan's victory over India in the final will not be forgotten, it will always be remembered.
The Pakistan captain who was appointed the national one-day captain only in February after Azhar Ali resigned has led his team in just 10 One-day Internationals.

Sarfraz said the Champions Trophy win was special as the youngsters had all performed when required and it was the ideal platform to start preparing for the 2019 World Cup.
He said the seniors had also performed excellently in important matches.
He noted that nine players took part in the Champions Trophy for the first time.
Sarfraz gave credit to the team management for keeping the player's motivation alive even after the drubbing in the first match against India.
Player-of-the-tournament Hasan Ali and other players, Fahim Ashraf, Babar Azam, and Ahmed Shehzad also got a big welcome when they returned home at the Allama International Airport in Lahore where provincial ministers led by the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were present.

As the players came out of the airport building, fans showered them with rose petals and some tried to take selfies.
Man-of-the-match in the final, Fakhar Zaman, who smashed 114 off 106 balls, also got a warm welcome when he landed in Peshawar.
"It is a dream come true for me to get a century against India the first time I played against them and that too in a final. We had decided before the match we would play aggressively as that was the only way to beat the strong Indian side," he said.
Zaman, who hails from Mardan in the KPK province but made his first-class debut for Karachi, said the Champions Trophy victory was made possible due to a team effort.

Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and Junaid Khan arrived in Islamabad where a fleet of policemen a gave guard of honour and fans lined up cheering them and raising slogans in their favour and Pakistan team.