Cricket Comes Home

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is witnessing history as the Green Shirts take on Sri Lanka for the final T20I on Sunday. 

Pakistan already lead the T20I series 2-0, after beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the opening game and winning a last-ball thriller in the second T20I. Today's match, however, is much more than just a game of cricket.

The occasion marks the homecoming of top-level international cricket as Sri Lanka become the first major cricket team to visit Pakistan since they were targeted in a deadly ambush in 2009 -- with attack survivors among those returning to the scene.

Here are some highlights of the match: 

People are holding placards to cheer for Pakistani players while watching the third and final T20 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium. Photo: Online 

Pakistani batsman Umar Amin hits a six during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

 People are wearing shirts embezzled with the name of Pakistan to cheer for Pakistani players while watching the third and final T20 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium. Photo: Online 

Pakistani batsman Umar Amin (R) plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Sadeera Samarawickrama looks on during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Spectators carrying Sri Lankan flags while watching third and last T20 International cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium. Photo: APP

Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Sri Lankan spinner Dilshan Munaweera (R) celebrates with teammate Seekkuge Prasanna after taking the wicket of Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Spectators carrying national flags while watching third and last T20 International cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium. Photo: APP 

Sri Lankan spinner Dilshan Munaweera (2L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman (R) plays a shot during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Sri Lankan bowler Vikum Sanjaya (2R) makes an unsuccessful leg before wicket appeal against Pakistani batsman Umar Amin (2L) during third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Pakistani and Sri Lankan cricketers and officials pose for a photograph before the start of the third and final Twenty20 international match at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP 

A view of fireworks upon the arrival of Pakistani and Sri Lankan teams at Gaddafi Stadium to compete in the third and final T20 match. Photo:Online 

Players of Pakistani team standing in respect during the National Anthem ahead of the third and final T20 match against Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium. Photo: Online 

Children hold the flags of Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the National Anthems of both countries ahead of the the third and final T20 match at Gaddafi Stadium. Photo: Online 

People stand in a queue and showing their tickets to enter Gaddafi Stadium to watch the third and final T20 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Photo: INP 

A Pakistani plain-clothes policeman walks with a bomb sniffing dog outside the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium where the third and last T20 cricket match is scheduled between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP 

Pakistani police commandos take position along a street as the buses carrying the Sri Lankan and Pakistani cricket teams arrive at Gaddafi Cricket stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP

Sri Lankan cricket captain Thisara Perera delivers a ball during the third and final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on October 29, 2017. Photo: AFP