Pakistan’s top cricket players, including skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, have expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome they received upon their arrival in India ahead of the World Cup. This visit marks the first time Pakistan’s cricket team has traveled to India since 2016.
The Men in Green arrived in Hyderabad under tight security on Wednesday, gearing up for the upcoming seven-week-long World Cup tournament set to kick off on October 5.
Despite the political tensions between the two countries, excited crowds gathered at the airport in Hyderabad to welcome the Pakistani team. Fans cheered and chanted the name of team captain Babar Azam as the players disembarked from their flight.
Taking to Instagram, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam expressed his appreciation, saying he was “overwhelmed with the love and support here in Hyderabad.”
Star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi also conveyed his excitement about the warm welcome, sharing a message on his social media that read, “Great welcome thus far!”
Additionally, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan expressed his amazement at the reception they received from fans upon their arrival in Hyderabad.
It’s important to note that cricket matches between Pakistan and India have been limited to international tournaments due to the longstanding political tensions between the two countries. These matches are typically held in neutral venues.
The World Cup will feature 48 matches played over 46 days at 10 different venues, with the final scheduled for November 19.
Pakistan is set to play two warm-up matches, the first against New Zealand on September 29 and the second against Australia on October 3, both in Hyderabad. However, due to the anticipation of large crowds for a Hindu festival on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the first warm-up match will be played behind closed doors, following the advice of local security agencies.
Pakistan will commence their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands before facing arch-rivals India in a highly-anticipated match at Ahmedabad Stadium on October 14.
Meanwhile, India will start their campaign against Australia on October 8, followed by their eagerly awaited clash against Pakistan.
Visas for the Pakistan team’s travel to India were reportedly issued just 48 hours before their scheduled departure, as reported by Indian and Pakistani media. There has been no official response from India regarding visa arrangements for Pakistani fans traveling to India for the tournament.
