English fan’s two-month journey to Lahore: no flights, all trains — and a newfound love for biryani

WEB DESK: Imagine falling in love with Biryani, from Lahore? Unbelievable as it seems, in a story that’s winning hearts across the cricket world, a young English fan named Tommy has made his way from Manchester to Lahore, without taking a single flight, just to watch Pakistan take on South Africa in a Test match.

Speaking to cricket host Zainab Abbas at the Gaddafi Stadium, Tommy shared that his remarkable journey involved “a lot of different trains, buses and one ferry” as he made his way to Australia for the Ashes. “I realised in Iran that if I got to Lahore by a certain date, I could catch a couple of days of this Test match,” he said with a smile. “It all worked out perfectly.”

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He’s also fallen in love with local cuisine, though he admits the spice level has been a challenge. “Everything is a bit too spicy, even when they say it’s not,” he laughed. “But biryani is my favourite so far.”

The two-month overland journey took him through multiple countries, including Iran and Balochistan province, before he reached Lahore via Karachi. And if the cricket wasn’t enough, Tommy says Pakistan’s hospitality has left him overwhelmed. “By far, this is the best country I’ve been to so far. Everyone is so welcoming, they offer food, drinks, even rides, and they refuse to take any money. It completely hurts their pride to accept it!”

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Zainab wrapped up the cheerful chat by welcoming Tommy to Pakistan and wishing him well on the rest of his journey. As he continues his epic, flight-free adventure to Australia, Tommy’s enthusiasm for cricket, and his appreciation of Pakistani warmth, have made him a small symbol of how sports can bridge borders and bring people together.