CRICKET
WATCH: PCB chief Zaka Ashraf stokes controversy with ‘Dushman Mulk’ Jab amid Pakistan’s warm welcom in India for ODI World Cup 2023
The Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad on September 27 ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 which is set to kick off on October 5. Pakistan are scheduled to participate in warm-up matches in Hyderabad, and their opening match will also take place in the same city on October 6 against the Netherlands.
Upon their arrival, the team received a warm and cordial welcome, both at the airport and in their hotel. Babar Azam and his team appeared delighted with the reception they received. The players expressed their gratitude for the warm reception on social media. However, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf, in contrast, made inflammatory remarks against India. A video featuring PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf has gone viral, in which he refers to India as a hostile nation.
Watch the video here:
Look at India's reception of Pakistani players and consider the remark made by the chairman of the PCB, Zaka Ashraf, who referred to India as 'Dushman Mulk'. It raises the question as to why certain individuals harbor so much hatred. #NamakHaram
pic.twitter.com/2SVwVTWwEz— Wazhma Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@WazhmaAyoubi) September 28, 2023
“Players hain inka morale upar rehna chahiye jab ye kisi dushman mulk ya kisi bhi jagah khelne jaayen jahan wo competition ho raha ho, to they should go with the full support of the nation aur unko ek achche tarike se perform kar saken.” [When the players go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held, you should support them so that they can perform well], he said in the video.
I hope we come back with a trophy this time: Babar Azam
This marks Pakistan’s first visit to India since the 2016 T20 World Cup, which India hosted. Pakistani players have been openly appreciative of the affection they’ve received in India. However, Babar attended a press conference before leaving for India and said that their only goal is to win the World Cup.
“I hope we come back with a trophy this time. The top four is a small goal for us. We want come out as winners. We did not have enough time to put together a camp before the World Cup because we had been playing for too long continuously. We wanted to give the players a break so they come back refreshed and with the hunger to win. You play well when you have that hunger.” Babar was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.