The Pakistan cricket team was given an open-top bus tour and a civic reception in Bradford last night ahead of its “home” Test match against Australia.

Hundreds of fans lined the paths leading to Cartwright Hall in Lister Park to welcome their sporting heroes.

The players were formally welcomed to Yorkshire by dignitaries including The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Hill, who hosted the event.

The Yorkshire Cricket Mela reception was held ahead of the second MCC Spirit of Cricket Test, which starts tomorrow at Headingley.

Coun Hill said: “It is brilliant to see the crowds welcoming these players like pop stars – there is a huge following in Bradford for the Pakistan team.

“They are super guys. It is an honour to have them in Bradford and a great day for sport in the city.”

Pakistan were led out to meet the crowds by 25-year-old Salman Butt, who was installed as captain following the sudden resignation of Shahid Afridi.

Cricket fans, some wearing Pakistan’s famous green shirts, chanted the team’s name and took photographs of their heroes.

Student Fehar Jallu, 22, of Sherbourne Road, Bradford, was among those outside Cartwright Hall to welcome the cricketers.

He said: “I’m a big fan and wanted to come and see the team. I’ll definitely be watching them play against Australia. They are not doing that well but I hope they win.”

Iftikhar Hussain, 58, went along with his seven-year-old grandson, Haider Ali Hussain.

He said: “My grandson was born in England, so he supports them but we also support Pakistan. When they are playing each other, we support whoever wins!”

Inside Cartwright Hall, representatives from Yorkshire County Cricket Club, including club president Ray Illingworth, joined the Pakistan party and members of the Bradford Cricket League chatted with the team.

Later in the evening, they attended a dinner at the Aagrah restaurant in Thornbury, Bradford.

The reception was part of a series of major events for the Yorkshire Cricket Mela – a festival of cricket, culture, community and commerce.

Alan Birkinshaw, a spokesman for the Bradford League and one of the Mela’s organisers, said: “We are delighted to have the Pakistan cricket team here . It has created tremendous interest..”