The triumphant Sri Lankan cricketers were on Tuesday accorded a rousing reception by delirious fans as they touched down at Bandaranaike International Airport here after winning the World Twenty20 crown with the highlight being a victory parade on a decked-up double-decker bus.
Fans jumped in unbridled joy the moment they got a glimpse of their nation’s heroes.
The cricketers lapped up all the love and adulation prompting them to express their thanks.
Hero of the final against India, Kumar Sangakkara, captured the hysteria in his camera from the aircraft and posted the picture on twitter.
“The crowd awaiting our arrival. Took the photo from plane window. Amazing. Thank you pic,” Sangakkara, who scored a match-winning half-century in the title clash, tweeted.
Sri Lanka Cricket had invited “all loyal cricket fans to line the roads up to Galle Face Green and welcome our Champion National.”
Much-awaited arrival The arrival had been a much-awaited one for the fans as well as the cricketers.
“So excited. It’s gonna be a massive day. Waiting to see all the fans, and family. Rain gods be kind. Off to the airport in an hour,” Sangakkara wrote.
And as it turned out, it indeed was a grand welcome for the players.
Sangakkara wrote, “on the double-decker bus. Amazing pic.”
In one of the pictures, skipper Lasith Malinga was seen standing in front of the double-decker bus and waving to the crowd. He was earlier seen holding the trophy inside the plane.
Sangakkara also posted a picture showing the airport crew holding the national flag.
“Airport ground crew with our flag,” the Sri Lankan ace tweeted.
