This nation and its love for cricket will never part ways! Be it the PSLs on international series, cricket runs in our blood. And the nation is celebrating the coming back of international cricket to Pakistan, the National Stadium in Karachi is at its very best right now to host the ODIs between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Fans and members of the team took to social media to share their excitement:
Team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed requested the people to show up at the stadium and support international cricket!
History will be made on Friday when Karachi will host the first ODI series since January 2009. I request all 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. pic.twitter.com/YYifMYswvj
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) September 25, 2019
Babar Azam, the vice captain of the team shared how big of a day it will be for him:
Friday will be one of my biggest days when I will take the field as Pakistan vice-captain. I will want the entire country as well as the National Stadium crowd to make this a day to remember for me. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/YbhfvHIIga
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 25, 2019
Shadab Khan pledged to donate all the money from the match to those affected by the earthquake:
I pledge to donate all my match fees from the #PAKvSL series to the ppl affected by the #earthquake in Pakistan today. Let’s try to help our brothers and sisters in need.
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) September 24, 2019
He further shared how honored he was and also urged everyone to help those affected by the earthquake:
I pledge to donate all my match fees from the #PAKvSL series to the ppl affected by the #earthquake in Pakistan today. Let’s try to help our brothers and sisters in need.
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) September 24, 2019
Imam ul Haq too shared how happy he was to be playing:
Playing against Sri Lanka will always be something special for me. I want to celebrate that hundred again and this time in front of a packed house and my own people. #PAKvSL ODI series is here and Karachi is ready! pic.twitter.com/8umSYLrQMt
— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12) September 25, 2019
Haris Sohail shared how he was honored to be a part of the team:
I feel honored to be part of the team that played the first bilateral ODI series in Lahore when cricket returned to Pakitan in 2015. I want to relive that unreal experience on Friday at NSK.
Karachi be there to be part of this historical #PAKvSL series. pic.twitter.com/NJTodLGbCb
— Haris Sohail (@iHarisSohail) September 25, 2019
Imad Wasim too asked the people to show up at the stadium:
Leading @KarachiKingsARY in Karachi and the support from fans at NSK is something that I can never forget. I am hoping that Karachi will not disappoint this time either.
Cricket fans in Karachi your team will be waiting for you during the #PAKvSL series. pic.twitter.com/T0eqSsteyw
— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) September 26, 2019
Fahad Mustafa too wished the team best of luck:
Make us Proud Captain @SarfarazA_54 😊 https://t.co/xENcA3MWp9
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) September 25, 2019
All the Best Buddy @babarazam258 https://t.co/82lWpAAxIE
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) September 25, 2019
SriLankan team was given a warm welcome as they arrived in Pakistan:
Arrival of Sri Lanka team at Karachi. 🇵🇰
Warm welcome to the visitors to the city of lights.#PAKvSL action to being on Friday. pic.twitter.com/WJsE6LA5DV
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 24, 2019
The stadium is all set to witness history!
National Stadium Karachi gearing up for #PakvSL ODI series. pic.twitter.com/iCgsjmbqBI
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) September 24, 2019
National Stadium Is All Set to Host Odi series 😍#CricketComesHome #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/3YLzlIOy4l
— Usama speaks 📖 (@LeoUsamaa) September 25, 2019
This series indeed will be a win against terrorism as well:
After rain moments in National Stadium Karachi. It's just looking awesome. Welcome Sri Lanka to Pakistan and enjoy beautiful cricket. This series is not just a series but also winning of cricket against terrorism."❤😍"
#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/Gi8UBHY1Pq— Aswad Ali (@aswadali310) September 25, 2019
Chacha Cricket and Chacha T20 will also be arriving to Karachi from Lahore to root for Pakistan:
Chacha Cricket & Chacha T20 off from Lahore to Karachi for #PAKvSL series pic.twitter.com/qervUTZ6nf
— Mishi (@Mishi827) September 25, 2019
We’re sure it’ll be jam packed!
Tomorrow is a BIG DAY for us as Int. cricket is returning home after 10 years!! 🇵🇰 #Karachi walo!! Go buy tickets!! We want jam packed stadium!! Show the world how much we love this game!#PAKvSL #CricketComesHome
— Anisuddin (@Anisuddin86) September 26, 2019
All credit goes to these groundmen:
Lets appreciate these groundmen who are working hard on the maintenance of National Stadium, Karachi. 👍#PAKvSL #Cricket #Pakistan #Karachi #Lahore #PCB #SriLanka #ODI #Groundmen #Rain pic.twitter.com/NKT6aBw6yu
— Syed Mohib (@IsyedMohib) September 25, 2019
Pakistan is hosting international cricket after 10 years!
– Historic day tomorrow for Karachi’s National Stadium which is going to host an ODI after TEN years. #PAKvSL
— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) September 26, 2019
PCB has also installed Honour’s board at the stadium:
PCB installed Honour's Board at National Stadium Karachi where those cricketers are named who scored centuries & took haul of 5/10 wickets in ODI and Test format. Earlier PCB also placed Honour's Board for veteran sports journalists in GSL who covered Pakistan Cricket.🏏#cricket
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) September 26, 2019
The bowling coach for the team won’t be able to see the first ODI against SL:
Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis will miss Pakistan’s first ODI against Sri Lanka in Karachi on 27 September as he will travel to Sydney to attend his daughter’s graduation ceremony. Waqar will return in time for the second ODI on 29 September #PAKvSL #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 21, 2019
People were excited!
All thou, tickets i ordered were of 2nd odi. 🤷🏻♀️
I attended the series that marked t20 international cricket coming back to karachi after 9 years, now as International cricket (odi) is coming back to Karachi back after 10 years, how can I miss the fun.#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/3ZlTjUhHRS
— Momina Sarwar 🇵🇰 (@iamhafeeezgirl) September 24, 2019
This ODI will also mark Misbah’s first match as the team coach:
Pakistan's ODI against Sri Lanka in Karachi on Friday will be special for two reasons:
🔸 Their first ODI at home since May 2015
🔸 Misbah's first match as international coachWhich team will come out on top?#PAKvSL Preview 👇https://t.co/OnPRMzTEBh
— ICC (@ICC) September 26, 2019
Are you excited for the series? Let us know in the comments below!