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Wednesday February 19, 2025

PSL final at Gaddafi Stadium takes Lahore by storm

By Moayyed Jafri
March 06, 2017

LAHORE: It was all colours, smiles and cheers as all roads led to the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday with the entire city having a single-point agenda – The PSL final. 

The match was due to start at 8pm, the opening ceremony at 6pm but the people had started gathering around the areas surrounding the stadium from as early as 12 noon.  It was mostly because of rumours regarding the entire city being shut down and the roads being blocked. However, as a pleasant surprise, the city roads and markets were open, with the exception of those surrounding the venue and the hotel, where the players were staying. 

However, last minute tuning of the traffic plan did cause a bit of problems for commuters as the Ferozepur Road and Garden Town underpasses were shut down. This was not a part of the original traffic plan shared. “I was told by the traffic official that the underpass was open for traffic but as I approached it saw dozens of cars stuck there because it was shut down. Such miscommunication is frustrating,” said Anwarul Haq, who was livid at being misled twice by traffic police regarding the traffic plan. 

West Indies World Twenty20 winning captain Darren Sammy was among nine foreign cricketers to arrive in Lahore early Sunday as stringent security measures were put in place around the25,000-capacity stadium. 

A special shuttle bus service was put in place at two security checkpoints that carried spectators to the 14 entry gates of the Gaddafi Stadium.  It was heartening to see that despite certain quarters spreading negativity, people came with their families to watch the final live. Families including children, youth, elderly, people not just from Lahore but from all over the country, every ethnicity, colour, cast and creed could be seen at the venue. It was almost as if the crowd in the stadium was an absolute representation of not just Lahore, but all Pakistan, refusing to be confined in a box by fear. 

The five-layer security checking system, one would imagine would have annoyed those going through it. However, the enthusiasts seemed un-phased by it. “I wouldn’t mind going through 10 security checks as long as we get to see international cricket in the country. These checks, after all are for our own security,” commented Ahsan, who had excitement writ large on his face while standing in the entrance queue. 

As soon as the clock struck 6 pm, the roads of the city started giving a deserted look as all those who couldn’t get their hands on a ticket were glued to their television screens to watch the ceremony. The ceremony didn’t disappoint at all. The paratrooping display by Pakistan Army was witnessed not only by those in the stadium but those on the roads couldn’t resist but stop where they witnessed it. Members of the federal and provincial bureaucracy, provincial and federal ministers, their families, government and opposition alike, came to witness this mega event.