ICC Champions Trophy starts in Pakistan, its first global cricket tournament since 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team

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The last time Pakistan hosted an international cricket competition, Meher Mohammad Khalil became a hero.

But it wasn't about scoring a ton or leading his team to a win.

It was to save the lives of the opposing Sri Lankan team.

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"He was under fire from all directions," Mr Khalil recalled.

I slammed on the brakes and wondered what was going on. At first I thought of jumping off the bus and making a run for it. Then I thought I might get caught in a hail of bullets when I got out. Then, the team started yelling, 'Go! Go! Go!' Those words were like a spark of electricity through my chest. I felt it would be better to get our guests, our country's visitors, to a safe place.

Mr Khalil led the team to the footy ground without any issues.

Six people were hurt, but no one was seriously injured.

Six Pakistani police officers and two civilians were killed in the assault.

The incident had an immediate impact on Pakistan's reputation as a host country for international cricket.

"Pakistan's happiness disappeared," Mr Khalil said.

It's been nearly 30 years since it last hosted a major global event, a timeframe that could've been even shorter if the 2009 incident had never happened.

Now, for the first time since the attack, Australia gets to show off its famous welcoming spirit to a bunch of international teams and supporters.

On Wednesday, it will be playing host to the 2025 International Cricket Council's (ICC) Champions Trophy, an event often regarded as a mini version of the World Cup.

It's the first ICC event to be staged in the country since the 1996 World Cup.

Teams from Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have all come to play matches in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

With big expectations and security checks on high, and the fact their team are the reigning champs weighing heavily, Pakistanis are feeling the heat to host a successful, secure event, which could finally put the 2009 controversy behind them for good.

They're as confident as can be.

Presidential-level security

The Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer, Sumair Ahmad Syed, told the ABC that the teams will receive a level of security normally given to world leaders.

"We've provided them with buses that are virtually impenetrable, with the highest level of security you'd find in a presidential motorcade," Mr Syd said.

We've assigned dedicated security personnel to each team. With all the arrangements in place, it will be a very secure and safe environment.

The Australian team received presidential-level security in 2022 when they visited Pakistan for the first time in 23 years.

Mr Syed said the success of that trip, and a tri-nations series with New Zealand and South Africa that wrapped up last week, has set the scene for the Champions Trophy to go ahead without a problem.

We've put a lot of effort into creating a safe space for everyone.

The Director General of Police Operations for Lahore, Muhammad Faisal Kamran, said 10,000 security personnel had been stationed in that city alone, and authorities began a "sweep" of the stadium area about three weeks ago.

Whenever a crew needs to travel around the city, all the roads are cleared and Mr Faisal travels with them.

"I'm with the teams for every move they make, whether it's training, the actual game, or any personal activity," he said.

Fans will be checked at least four times before entering Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which was completely knocked down and rebuilt in record time to increase seating by about 10,000 in just three months.

Missing team mars tournament

On the streets of Lahore, everyone told the ABC there was one game they would be glued to — India versus Pakistan.

The two countries have a long-standing and fierce rivalry, which is evident in their sporting competitions as well as in their cultural exchanges.

Former cricketer and left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz, who was part of the champion 2017 Pakistan team, said matches between the two are "a great game of cricket".

"Everyone's keen to get a result, to watch the game," he said.

Everyone's been having their own personal prayers in terms of their own faith.

University student Ahmed, 17, was out purchasing a Pakistan team jersey in preparation for the home side's opening match against New Zealand on Wednesday.

"It's all the rage at the moment. People are buzzing about the upcoming match and are stoked for the team," he said.

I've been searching for some tickets, and a few of my mates have already got their hands on some. It's starting to get me a bit envious.

Even with all the excitement, there's one downer.

India refused to participate in this tournament in Pakistan due to security concerns.

All of its games will be played in Dubai.

If India makes it to the final, the deciding match will be played there as well.

That means a final between the defending champs Pakistan and India – a real possibility, and a dream outcome for many cricket fans – would be taken away from the host nation.

Mr Riaz said India's decision was "pretty disappointing".

"We've spent a fair bit of time in India as Pakistanis and have played a lot of cricket there," he said.

It was well overdue for them to arrive here. They would have seen just how much the locals adore them.

Had India been coming here, that would've made it a real celebration.

From darkness, the 'lights will shine once more'

For both fans and players, the past 16 years have had a significant impact.

Pakistan women's team player Kaynat Hafeez said there's a whole generation of cricketers who've missed out on the chance to soak up some valuable experience and knowledge from their heroes because the gap between international competitions has been so long.

"It's had a big impact because you see it and learn from it," she said.

You watch and you learn, but watching on the telly and watching live is as different as chalk and cheese.

The pace you see on the telly is much slower than it actually is.

Mr Riaz said he felt for players who came up during that time and never got the opportunity to watch their idols play in their home country.

I've always looked up to my cricketing idols, like Wasim Akram, and I'd often watch them play on the grounds.

Wherever the cricket was being played in Pakistan, you'd go and watch them and that's how you'd get inspired by all those cricketers.

He also said the gap in hosting international cricket crushed a personal aspiration.

"I've always felt like I never got the opportunity to experience the thrill of competing in or in front of my own backyard crowd," he said.

Mr Khalil said the effect of that day will never be erased.

"The loss we've experienced over the past 16 years can't be made up for," he said to the ABC.

Now, he said that international cricket coming back to the country would give Pakistanis a boost that's hard to put into words.

I'm over the moon with joy that I'm crying because of it.

The lights will shine brightly in Pakistan once more.