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Tight security cuts off Pakistan heroes from fans

Hundreds of Pakistan fans at Lahore airport failed to greet the team due to tight security measures

Cricinfo staff
23-Jun-2009
The fans weren't such a happy bunch when the team finally arrived  •  AFP

The fans weren't such a happy bunch when the team finally arrived  •  AFP

The victorious Pakistan team arrived in Lahore in the early hours of Tuesday amid security so tight that hundreds of fans who had gathered at the airport failed to catch a glimpse of them. The champions of the ICC World Twenty20 in England were whisked away to another terminal, leaving the fans disappointed.
"We changed the (travel) plan due to security reasons and drove players and team officials in a bus to the National Cricket Academy," police official Umar Virk told the media. The security had been tightened following the terror attack in the city in March, which injured a few members of the visiting Sri Lankan team.
The fans couldn't hide their disappointment, considering that they had gathered at the terminal long before the 3.30am arrival. Earlier, thousands took to the streets across the country and celebrated Pakistan's eight-wicket win against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Sunday.
"Not only me, every one present here is hurt," Zeeshan Qaiser, a fan, told AP. "We just wanted to have a glimpse of them, we are tired from shouting slogans in praise of them and now they didn't show up."
Fast bowler Sohail Tanvir said he understood the plight of those who showed up to greet the team. "I apologise to the whole nation as a large number of people kept waiting for us at the airport, but we could not come out due to security reasons," he said.
The team's coach, Intikhab Alam, agreed. "People have not slept for the last two days, but unfortunately such things do happen and I want to thank them," Alam said. "We should win more laurels for the country and I don't think we can give a better gift than this to the whole nation."
This was Pakistan's first major title win since their 1992 World Cup victory.