QUETTA: Fans here are showing their love for cricket after hosting their first competitive game in more than 26 years as they came in huge numbers to watch the exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.
Fans turned up to the stadium early in the morning as stadium gates were said to be closed by 9 am. They lined up to enter the stadium to watch their cricket stars in action.
When this story was filed, loads of fans were outside stadium, waiting for their turn to enter the stands.
Due to huge crowd, management closed the doors of the ground to avoid any mishap and are gradually letting the crowd enter the stadium.
All tickets for the match are sold out. Around 15,000-16,000 temporary seats were installed in the stands.
It must be noted here that Quetta last hosted an international match back in 1996. Pakistan played against Zimbabwe in last ODI that took place in Quetta.
The exhibition match is taking place in build-up to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8. This year's event will take place from February 13 to March 19 in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan.
Muzamil Asif