Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai
It was nearing midnight in Dubai when the Pakistan team emerged from their first practice session at the ICC Academy, their focus sharpening ahead of the big ticket clash against India. The city had long settled into its night rhythm, but outside the academy, the energy was electric. A sea of eager faces, Pakistan fans in large numbers joined by a handful of Indians, had been waiting since 9:30 PM. Hats, T-shirts, bats, and caps clutched tightly in hopeful hands, they stood, eyes scanning for a glimpse of their heroes.
When the players finally stepped out, exhaustion from their four-hour training session did little to dampen their spirits. Tayyab Tahir was the first to acknowledge the waiting crowd, signing autographs and taking pictures. Soon, the fan favorites followed. Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and captain Mohammad Rizwan all paused to give their time to those who had waited so long. Even Faheem Ashraf, with a cup of tea in hand, took a moment to connect with the supporters.
For the fans, the long wait melted away in an instant. Among them, one particularly lucky supporter walked away with the most autographs, his night made unforgettable. Spotting Faheem’s cup, he playfully teased, “How much sugar in that tea, Faheem bhai?” The all-rounder responded with a knowing smile, signing the fan’s bat before walking away.
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A dream come true! This lucky fan is the only one to get autographs from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Faheem Ashraf. A moment to remember ahead of the epic #INDvPAK clash! #PakistanCricket @iMRizwanPak @babarazam258 @TheRealPCB @VTrips_7781 @ThumsUpOfficial pic.twitter.com/3l9ZuA3Ob6
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) February 21, 2025
Earlier that evening, as the team had arrived for practice, chants of “Babar, Babar!” and “Shaheen, Shaheen!” had echoed through the night air, a testament to the undying passion of cricket lovers. The fervor of fans from the Asian subcontinent is unmatched, a devotion that stretches across time zones.
Even in moments of struggle, when form wavers and victories seem distant, their loyalty never fades. At this very ICC Academy, just two days ago, Bangladesh trained in near silence, their session witnessed by only a handful of onlookers. But when Pakistan took the field, the atmosphere was different. The crowd gathered not just for photos and autographs but to lift their team’s spirits, to remind them that belief still burns bright.
They know what’s at stake. A must-win clash against India looms, a battle where defeat could all but end Pakistan’s semifinal hopes. The weight of expectation is heavy, the pressure immense, but the fans remain steadfast, hopeful, resilient, ready for the greatest showdown in cricket. The time has come. The mother of all battles awaits.
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