Cricket fans thronged the Lahore's Qadhafi Stadium on Saturday to see the cricket heroes, as Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match between the Southern Punjab and Central Punjab was staged there.
It was the attraction of watching Babar Azam bat which brought Mujahid Saleem to Lahore's Qadhafi Stadium. Mujahid is amongst a strong contingent of young cricket fans who have turned out to watch the cream of Pakistan first-class cricket compete.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opened the gates of the venues, staging Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, for the fans to watch their stars up-close, a PCB spokesman, said.
Cricket fans are optimistic to see quality game in the matches of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. "I have only come here to watch Babar Azam bat," says Mujahid, a resident of Rawalpindi who is based in Murdike these days. "I want to click a selfie with him. He is the best player in international cricket at the moment. This is a brilliant gesture by the PCB to open the gates for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. This is the pinnacle of domestic cricket and this is where future stars are born."
Perched in the Abdul Hafeez Kardar stand with his friend, Mujahid, an ardent cricket fan, plans to show up until he gets his desired fulfilled.
To the surprise of Mujahid and other fans, Pakistan Test bowler Shaheen Afridi showed up for a meet and greet. As soon as he arrived in the stands, the fans thronged the lanky paceman to click pictures and take autographs. "It is good to see the fans turn out and watch Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. This promises to be an exciting season for which fans and players are equally excited." said Shaheen.
College students, dressed in their uniforms, had been pouring in the stands since early morning. When Jamshed Ali, who is pursuing a degree in medicine, was asked why he was at the stadium instead of his classroom, he grinned and said: "Actually, our teacher had not come today so all of us friends decided to come at the Qadhafi Stadium to watch the match."