Brian Lara frenzy at Dubai Gold Souk

Dubai: West Indies batting legend Brian Lara was mobbed by thousands of cricket fans at the Deira Gold Souk around 8pm on Saturday.

Lara was on a private trip to Dubai and visited the Kanz Jewels outlet in the souk. As soon as news spread that the batting maestro and former West Indies captain was at the store, thousands of fans, mainly from the sub-continent, thronged the place just to catch a glimpse of the star.

Some even rushed inside for his autograph and wanted him to pose for photographs. Initially, Lara obliged to their requests, but when the mob started to thicken and people began rushing towards him, the owners had to close the doors.

Even then people were not ready to give up and kept clicking pictures through the glassed window panes. After a while, it was impossible for Lara to leave. He waved at the crowd and requested them to give way to get to his car. Twice he attempted to get out but was forced to rush back inside as the crowd went berserk.

Anil Dhanak, Managing Director of Kanz Jewels, too pleaded with the crowd to disperse; instead the fan numbers began to swell blocking all traffic into the Gold Souk. Finally after nearly an hour's struggle with the crowd, the owners sought police help. Eventually Lara managed to get into his car escorted by the police.

Speaking to Gulf News, a stunned Lara said: "I cannot believe how so many people got to know about me being here. I never expected this big a crowd here."

Lara had spent the whole morning playing golf at the Ernie Els Golf Club.