Even after the special convoy escorting Sarfraz Ahmed from the airport got within sight of his Karachi home in the early hours of the morning, it took the Pakistan captain nearly half an hour to get from the vehicle to his house, as a throng of adoring cricket fans clamored for photographs.
Fans decorated the street and waited through the night to welcome their hero, with some carrying children on their shoulders to get a glimpse of the man who led Pakistan to an unlikely win in the Champions Trophy in London.
Supporters unfurled a 70-foot (21-meter) long national flag, and carried it on the street as Ahmed drove in, while the police tried to clear a path.
Ahmed waved the trophy from the balcony of his house as he was showered with rose petals with the crowd chanting "Pakistan Zindabad," meaning long live Pakistan.
Pakistan stunned the cricketing world on Sunday when it beat arch-rival and hot favorite India by 180 runs in the final.
Ahmed's squad overcame a terrible start in the event – beaten by 124 runs in the first group match by India – to beat South Africa, Sri Lanka and England on the way to the championship match.
Messages such as "Champion of champions. Team Pakistan! Welcome back after such a tremendous victory" were emblazoned on banners erected at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore when the team landed.
Television footage showed supporters chanting "Pakistan Zindabad" when four of the players entered the public area at 2:30 a.m.
Player-of-the-tournament Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Babar Azam, and Ahmed Shehzad were presented with bouquets by Punjab provincial ministers.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was due to receive the cricketers, but Geo Television reported he couldn't travel to the airport at the last minute because of security reasons.
Fans surrounded Ali's car and showered it with rose petals, while the fast bowler smiled and waved from inside the vehicle.
A similar reception was accorded to the man-of-the-match in the final, Fakhar Zaman, who smashed 114 off 106 balls, when he landed in Peshawar.
Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Junaid Khan arrived in Islamabad, where a fleet of policemen a gave guard of honor to the three players at the airport.
(With inputs from AP.)
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