LAHORE – Visiting Bangladeshi sports journalists have praised unprecedentedsecurity provided to the visiting Bangladesh cricket team and are awed bythe love and hospitality of the people.
A ten-member media team had accompanied the Bangladesh cricket team on thefirst leg of the Bangladesh team to play three Twenty20 internationalmatches series in Lahore. Thejournalists, during their five-day visit watched cricket, saw Lahore andinteracted with people.
Talking to APP at the Gaddafi stadium here on Monday, the journalistsadmitted that they were confused initially whether to visit or not but thelove of cricket pushed themto visit Lahore despite fears.
Mahmudur Rahman of DBC News Dhaka said they found unprecedented securitywall during the visit in Lahore, adding Pakistan is very safe for cricketand tourism.
“Not only Mushfiqur Raheem but the all major cricketing nations includingSouth Africa, England and Australia should come and play in Pakistan”, hesaid in his appraisal whetherPakistan was safe for cricket.
“I was pleasantly shocked to see the love of people for Bangladesh andwould carry fondest memories of my sojourn in Lahore”, said Humayun KabirRose of the Somoy TV.
He expressed his delight on visiting the historic sites like the LahoreFort and Minar e Pakistan during their visit, adding he was pleased to findpeople loving and accommodating.
He said he was happy to be part of the contingent to bring cricket back toPakistan.
Read Top Stories
Nayir Iqbal of the Pothom Alo, Dhaka said he felt very safe in Lahore andmoved around without any fear, regretting that he could not visit Badshaimosque and Mianr e Pakistanalong with other Bangladesh journalists the other day.
“I have been receiving phone calls from my colleagues in Dhaka to knowabout the security and I have told them Lahore is one of the safestcountries in the world”, Nayir said, adding people are crazy about cricketin Pakistan and cricket fans should not suffer.
Nayir said he had fallen in love with the Lahori food,adding that he was afoodie and Lahori food was the best in the world. He said all who visitPakistan must taste Pakistanifood.
Comparing Lahore with Dhaka, the print media journalist from Dhaka saidLahore was Europe as compared with Dhaka,adding that Lahore was spaciouswhile Dhaka was cramped due to over-population. However, he said theconstruction of new metros in Dhaka would ease out the traffic.
The visiting journalists said they would fond memories of Lahore with themand love to come back for the test matches in February.
