ICC World Cup 2023: The Pakistan cricket team arrived in India on Wednesday after seven years. Despite the political tensions between the two countries, India followed its culture and welcomed the Pakistani team amid much fanfare. Cricket fans expressed their love for the sport and chanted Babar Azam’s name when the skipper arrived with his team in India. However, the Pakistani administration is never shy about showing its hostility towards India, as in a recent video Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf can be heard referring to India as a “Dushman state” (enemy state).
A video of the PCB chief’s remarks is circulating on social media, with Pakistanis even criticizing the cricket board chief for the remarks.
“We have shown our love towards our players through the new contracts. No one has allocated as much budget to player contracts as I have. Mera maksad ye hi hai ki hamaare players lift their spirits rehna chahiye, jab ye dushman mullk me khelne jaaye, ya kahi bhi jaaye jaha competition ho raha Hai. Ashraf said: (I just want the players to be in high spirits when they travel to an enemy country, or anywhere in the world, to participate in the competition).
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Fortunately, political tensions between India and Pakistan are not at all visible on the ground or in training networks. Players from both countries behave respectfully with each other and exchange cricket tips during training sessions. Recently, a video of Pakistani player Shaheen Afridi touched hearts when he was seen giving a gift to Indian player Jasprit Bumrah, who has just become a father.
Pakistan vs New Zealand
Pakistan will face New Zealand on Friday in the first group of friendly matches. The Babar Azam-led team received a major jolt ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023 as pacer Naseem Shah was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. Hasan Ali has replaced Naseem Shah in Pakistan’s bowling line-up and the team will play its first match against Netherlands on October 6.
In the warm-up match against New Zealand, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are playing in a good partnership as the team lost openers Abdullah Shafiq and Imam-ul-Haq at the start of the match.
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Updated: Sep 29, 2023, 04:03 PM IST
