The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Zaka Ashraf has lauded India for the fantastic reception of the Babar Azam-led unit.
Pakistan cricket team received a warm and spirited welcome upon their arrival at the Hyderabad airport on Wednesday, accompanied by tight security measures to ensure their safe passage to the team bus.
The fervent enthusiasm of fans, coupled with chants of "Babar Azam" and "Shaheen Afridi," created an electrifying atmosphere as the players made their way from the airport to the waiting bus.
“Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board's Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, has stated that the fantastic reception of the Pakistan men’s cricket team in India for the World Cup proves how much love the people of both countries have for each other's players. This love was evident by the reception arranged at the Hyderabad airport. Zaka Ashraf personally congratulated the Indians over arranging a reception of this kind,” the PCB said in a press release.
“He mentioned that whenever India and Pakistan step onto the cricket field, they emerge as traditional rivals but not as enemies.
“Zaka Ashraf expressed his hope that throughout the entire World Cup, Pakistan cricketers would receive the same warmth, and Indian fans would get to see the best cricket from Pakistan players.
“He reflected how historically whenever the Pakistan men’s cricket team has visited India, they have received a warm and cordial reception, just as Indian teams have been welcomed in Pakistan. This is because cricket is a sport that has always played a bridging role between the two nations, and cricketers from both countries have remained popular in and well-loved by fans in both India and Pakistan.
“Chairman MC also emphasised that cricket between Pakistan and India have always been the center of global attention which is why cricket between the two countries is considered more significant than the other contests in this sport.”
Ashraf also hoped for resumption of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. The last bilateral series between the two sides took place in 2012 when Pakistan toured India.
“He expressed his desire for the restoration of bilateral cricketing relations between the two countries, allowing millions of cricket fans from both nations the opportunity to watch these players perform live. He concluded by expressing his hope that the Indian cricket team would also visit Pakistan soon, enabling Pakistan to reciprocate the warmth and love shown by India to the Pakistan cricket team,” the press release concluded.
