International cricket has returned to Pakistan after a gap of eight long years and the return has resulted into unparalleled excitement among fans in the cricket-crazy nation. World XI are in the Asian nation to play a three-T20I matches series.
The series is seen as landmark moment in Pakistan cricket as it not only marks the return of international cricket in the strife-torn nation, but also raises hopes among the fans and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that bilateral series will soon resume.
The crescendo of jubilation has gone so high that Saj Sadiq, editor at Pakistani news website Pak Passion has claimed that a barber in Bahawalpur city is offering free hair cuts to anyone for a year for getting him a ticket to watch Pakistan vs World XI match.
Pakistani fans were delighted to see the effort of the barber to reach the stadium.
The ongoing series is level at 1-1. Pakistan defeated the Faf Du Plessis-led side by 20 runs in the first match. World XI, however, won the second match by seven wickets. The final match will take place in Lahore on Friday.
International teams stopped touring Pakistan after the Sri Lankan cricket team bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in 2009. Pakistan have been playing their home matches in UAE ever since.
(Feature image: ICC)