(Transcript from World News Australia)
Pakistan will be one of the most heavily supported teams when the 2015 Cricket World Cup gets underway in Australia and New Zealand this weekend.
And its fans are hoping the current side can emulate their heroes of 1992, crowned world champions that last time the tournament was held in the two countries.
Attila Mosonyi reports.
Cricket is a way of life in Pakistan, as well as a unifying bond in an increasingly fractured society.
Pakistani supporter Faisal Shamsi, in Sydney, says the love for the game is embedded in the national identity just like Islam.
"Well, the cricket is (a) second religion. When we (are) born, we just start playing cricket. Cricket is ... after what you achieve in your life, it's everything. If you go back to Pakistan, people play cricket everywhere. It's amazing. It's not only a sport, it's a religion. This is what we value, cricket in our life."
Pakistan's greatest-ever cricket triumph came 23 years ago.
Imran Khan led his side to its first and only World Cup title, with Pakistan beating England in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
(cheering ...) "That's up in the air. He's getting under it. This could be victory. It is! Pakistan wins the World Cup, a magnificent performance in front of 87,000 people. Imran Khan has led his side to victory. What a great victory!"
Pakistani expatriate Muhammad Asif says it is still one of the proudest moments in his nation's history.
"You know, I was back in Pakistan, and I watched the entire World Cup, watching from home. And the passion ... they were treated like true heroes of their nation. Once that team went to the airport, I remember, it took them seven hours to reach their hotel. Everybody was there at the airport."
Pakistani fans are hoping for similar scenes as the tournament returns to Australia's and New Zealand's shores.
But they know it will not be easy.
Their team will first face reigning world champion India, which eliminated Pakistan from the semifinals four years ago.
Pakistani supporter Ali Abid says the clash of the two great rivals will be one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the World Cup.
"It's unbelievable. There's just so much excitement. And that game will be (the) final before (the) final. I can't wait for that game. Trust me, there will be the whole stadium going ... lot of noise, lot of screaming, and more than 1.4 billion people watching on the (sub)continent."
A shared passion for cricket is a rare source of unity between India and Pakistan, whose relationship has long been fraught.
Faisal Shamsi believes the Cricket World Cup can bring the two communities closer to each other.
So he has invited some of his Indian friends to his home to watch the big game together.
"We share quite a bit of the same culture, the language, so we're having some Indian families and Pakistani families watching games together. They're going to cheer for India, we're going to cheer for Pakistan. It's just good fun together, because we are all friends -- except we want to win." (laughs)
Muhammad Asif says, regardless who wins the trophy, Pakistani fans are just happy to support the game of cricket itself.
And if their team does not win, Pakistani-Australians have a back-up plan.
"We have this support with Australia as well, because Australia is our country here. So we want to support either Pakistan or Australia, (laughs ...) no other team." (laughs)
Pakistan's opening Pool B game against India will be played in Adelaide on Sunday.
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