Pakistan: Australia superfan pleasantly surprised by warm welcome

Australia superfan Luke Gillian has shared his experiences of contrasting visits to Pakistan in 1998 and 2022.
Gillian was part of a small touring party of fans that tagged along for the 1998 tour to Pakistan and has returned in 2022 as part of an even smaller group of brave travellers.
Aussie superfan amazed by warm welcome in Pakistan
The Australian cricket lover says that the Pakistan he has experienced in 2022 is a far warmer and more welcoming place than when he visited 24 years ago.
“It was perceived to be too dangerous to go outside,” Gillian detailed his 1998 experience to AFP.
“When I did get outside there were large groups of people walking in the streets and I had rocks thrown at me.
“And I went, ‘Nah, I am just going to go back home, I don’t need to put up with this’.”
The Spirit of Cricket
In 2022, Pakistan has traded tossing rocks for taking selfies, according to Gillian.
“I reckon, in Rawalpindi, 500 photographs were taken of me every day, easily,” the Australian added.
“I have been given I don’t know how many cups of tea, how many pieces of cake, bottles of Pepsi, water and just little incidentals people have given us as a ‘thank you’ — free haircuts, free laundry.”
Gillian isn’t on a mere holiday, but something of a pilgrimage for cricket.
He also wants the cricket world to know that it is safe to come back to Pakistan.
“I am here for the game, to show the outside world that we can actually watch cricket and travel to Pakistan and be safe, be happy and enjoy,” he said.
“Socially this is so much more relaxed than it was 24 years ago. It is so much easier to be here. So much easier to enjoy Pakistan.
“I think that love, and the embrace of each other and the game itself, if that goes across to the wider audience, then it can sell the great game and sell the connect between the two nations and two cultures.
“Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.”
Gillian’s trip and his attitude embody the oft-talked about Spirit of Cricket and the great Australian culture of mateship.
Latest
-
News
Six former Yorkshire players sanctioned by CDC in Azeem Rafiq racism case
Gary Ballance, Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Gale, John Blain and Richard Pyrah have been handed combined fines of £22,000.
-
News
Cricket Ireland defends decision to rest Josh Little for England Test
The 23-year-old left-armer is one of Irish cricket’s hottest properties.
-
England
On this day in 2015: England hire Trevor Bayliss as head coach
Bayliss led England to World Cup glory in 2019.
-
England
Jason Roy looks Los Angeles-bound but says ‘I never will walk away from England’
The batter has had to cancel the remainder of his current incremental contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
-
T20 Blast
Chris Wood warns wounded Hampshire cannot rely on repeat of ‘freak’ 2022 season
The south-coast county won 12 out of 13 matches after losing their first four to lift the Blast title last season.
-
England
Jason Roy set to cancel England deal to star in new US competition
Major League Cricket launches in America in July.
-
The Ashes
Ollie Pope credits captain Ben Stokes for helping him believe in his ability
Pope has been installed as Stokes’ vice-captain at the start of an Ashes summer.
-
T20 Blast
Craig Overton stars as Somerset begin Blast by thrashing Hampshire
Kent and Worcestershire earned wins in their Twenty20 openers.
-
The Ashes
David Warner backed to enjoy ‘significant’ Ashes role by coach Andrew McDonald
Warner, 36, has just one Test century in the past three-and-a-half years.
-
T20 Blast
Jos Buttler excited to be part of Lancashire’s Vitality Blast campaign
The 32-year-old is free to play 10 fixtures for the Lightning.