Cricket fever grips Pakistan

Karachi: Cricket fever has gripped Pakistan as the Champions Trophy unfolds with fans eagerly waiting for the action to begin here on Wednesday and businesses related to the game too picking up before the tournament opener between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand.

However, many in the country are disappointed that India are not playing their matches in Pakistan.

“It is disappointing because generally there is so much admiration for the Indian team and players, especially Virat Kohli, in our country,” shopkeeper Moiz Ahmed said at the famous Zainab Market in the heart of Karachi’s bustling Saddar area.

Moiz is surprised at the demand for the Indian shirts among the cricket fans along with the Pakistan team.

“Virat Kohli definitely has a big fan following in Pakistan,” he said as youngsters mingled in the shop choosing different team shirts. Shopkeepers in Zainab market, which is famous for selling original licenses and copies of the team shirts whenever a big cricket or football event happens, are clearly happy that the Champions Trophy is being held in Pakistan. “I have sold nearly 4 to 5000 shirts in the last three days of the Pakistan and Indian teams,” Javed Pakhali, a shopkeeper, said.

Even in the enclosures during matches fans are not shy to wear or display pictures of Kohli and wear shirts with his name printed on them.