Karachi was the centre of attention in the cricketing world on Sunday as the city played host to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) finals.
In what was the biggest cricket match in Karachi in over nine years, Islamabad United pipped Peshawar Zalmi to the title by three wickets in front of a packed house at the National Stadium.
Having not hosted an international cricket match since Pakistan’s ill-fated Test against Sri Lanka in 2009, Karachi was lit up to welcome the return of world-class cricket.
Even hours before the start of play, fans could be seen queuing outside the stadium as droves of thousands turned up to see their favourite stars in action.
A celebratory atmosphere enveloped the stadium as Karachi fans quenched their thirst for international cricket.
The PSL finals was trending worldwide on Twitter as fans shared their reactions to see cricket return to the city. Former Pakistan all-rounder and fan favourite Shahid Afridi was one of the first to chime in with his thanks for everyone involved in making the finals a success.
Heartiest congratulations2 @IsbUnited for lifting the🏆Remarkable efforts by @najamsethi , Pak army,Government police&Rangers 4 making this possible&providing such an extreme entertainment for the people of Pakistan which they deserved. Highly appreciated #PakistanZindabad 🇵🇰
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 25, 2018
Legendary Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar congratulated Islamabad for winning their second title, terming the finals as a win for Pakistan cricket.
Congratulations @IsbUnited .You guys played like true champs.Better luck next time @PeshawarZalmi.
This was a win for all the #Pakistan,thanks to all the international cricketers for coming to Pakistan and @TheRealPCB for bringing cricket home.#Psl #shoaibakhtar #PCB— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 25, 2018
His sentiments were echoed by many on social media with Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanveer, Junaid Khan and Tymal Mills trumpeting the same thought.
Congrats @IsbUnited on winning #PSL3 and @PeshawarZalmi as runners up. Thank you to all the foreign players for coming 🤗
Most importantly congrats to all of Pakistan, we just showed the world how cricket brings us together like nothing else. We all won! #PakistanZindabad 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/gwYopu1JEk
— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) March 25, 2018
Congratulations @IsbUnited on winning 3rd @thePSLt20 tough luck @PeshawarZalmi but its pakistan who won tonight actually
— Sohail Tanveer (@sohailmalik614) March 25, 2018
Congratulations to @IsbUnited – best team throughout the tournament and deserved winners but more importantly congrats to Pakistan and the @thePSLt20 – real winners from all of this. Great Tournament! 👏🏾
— Tymal Mills (@tmills15) March 25, 2018
Islamabad United’s hero Luke Ronchi also congratulated his team-mates for their efforts as he praised the tournament.
A massive thank you to everyone involved @IsbUnited met some great people and was lucky enough… https://t.co/uiwuXWEbe1
— Luke Ronchi (@ronchi04) March 26, 2018
Even British boxer Amir Khan did not miss out on congratulating the victors on the night.
Well done @IsbUnited and @AliNaqvi808 on winning the #PSLFinalinKarachi
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) March 25, 2018
Elsewhere, Pakistan cricket fans shared their delight in seeing cricket return to Karachi. The theme throughout social media was loud and clear – that Pakistan had been the real winner of the night.
And in the end WE WON, PAKISTAN WON & PAKISTANIS WON. ❤❤❤@IsbUnited @PeshawarZalmi @thePSLt20 #PSLFinalinKarachi #PSL2018final
— Zainab (@Zainab_ZZJ) March 25, 2018
The true happiness is not seeing Islamabad win, it’s seeing the teams united, the cities united! The whole country is the winner. PAKISTAN 🇵🇰 #PSL2018
— $am 🐻 (@UsamaAdil) March 25, 2018
Stop war play cricket.
Itna rt karen kay india pounch jaye yeh. #PSLFinalinKarachi pic.twitter.com/BbGIbRtrsI— Rida Hussain (@AraySunno) March 25, 2018