While the cricket fans are enthusiastic for the T20 series against Sri Lanka which started here on Saturday, the people had to suffer due to traffic blockade and closure of roads and shops.
Law-enforcement agencies made stringent security measures for the safety of players and cricket fans who thronged the Gaddafi stadium on Saturday to see the opening match of the three-match T-20 series against Sri Lanka.
A 20-bed temporary hospital has been established at a stadium adjacent to Gaddafi stadium while 8-bed hospital has been set up at the site where the Sri Lankan team is staying.
All the roads leading towards Gaddafi stadium were blocked during the movement of the teams. Portraits of both Sri Lankan and Pakistani players have been displayed on the roads leading towards the stadium.
Shops near the stadium were also closed down till October 9. This has led to cause hardship to the people.
Former President of the international cricket council (ICC) Zaheer Abbas praised the role of the Sri Lankan cricket board for sending its team to Pakistan to play one day and T20 series to help the country in the resumption of international cricket.
Zaheer said, "Without all out support of the Lankan Board it was not possible to have this series played at Karachi and Lahore."
Expressing his gratitude to the Sri Lankan government for sending their cricket team to Pakistan for ODI and T20 matches, Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti hoped that both the teams will play best and entertaining cricket and the sports lovers will enjoy the thrilling encounters during the 3-match T20 series.
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