Pakistan cricket fans are more than happy to see the return of a global cricketing event to their country, this time in the form of the ICC Champions Trophy. With that, there is also hope that the ghosts of the past and the nightmarish days after the militant attack on a Sri Lankan team in 2009 are forgotten forever.

The fallout of the terror attack led to Pakistan being unable to host international cricket for 10 years, and the men in Greece were forced to play their home matches in the UAE.

But for someone like Haji Abdul Razzak, a 77-year-old businessman, the Champions Trophy feels like like another birthday. Razzak raised the Sri Lankan flag on March 17, 1996, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore when Sri Lanka defeated Australia to clinch the title.

Now, 29 years later, the avid cricket fan will attend the opening match of the Champions Trophy, which will be held on Wednesday in Karachi between holders Pakistan and New Zealand.

"It is fresh in my mind," Razzak was quoted as saying by AFP.

"My country was thriving back then, and cricket was on everyone's mind," he said teary-eyed.

"Terrorism took everything away from us. I am overjoyed to see a global event coming back to our country, and I feel like it will be my birthday," he added.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja also said that holding the Champions Trophy has enormous significance beyond sport.

"This Champions Trophy is a crucial step toward normalising its standing in the global cricket community," he said.

"It's also about national pride and sending a strong message about resilience and determination.

"It is about youth engagement, cultural promotion and building a global image.

"Now the onus is on us to deliver."

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