Last Sunday, during a crucial match at an outdoor cafe in Lahore, Pakistani cricket fans expressed their frustration as India's victory dimmed hopes for their team's progression in the Champions Trophy tournament. Although Pakistan's defeat left players like captain Mohammad Rizwan disappointed, hosting the tournament marks a significant achievement for the country. It is the first time in 27 years that Pakistan is hosting a major international cricket event, sparking hope among fans for future tournaments in a time of economic and political recovery.
"We thought we were going to play and, God willing, perform well in front of the whole nation, but we didn't perform like that. This is also disappointing for us."
"It's a big step, a big achievement," says 24-year-old Yasir Haseeb, standing outside Lahore's cricket stadium before the match.
Despite the disappointing performance of the team, fans are excited to have international teams playing on their home turf.
The Champions Trophy is an eight-team tournament, the first major international tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades.
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