Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi thrilled by heartwarming India welcome

LAHORE: Leading Pakistani cricket players including captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the warm reception they received upon their arrival in India.

The Men in Green team arrived in Hyderabad on Wednesday amidst tight security measures, marking their first visit to their neighboring country since 2016, ahead of the upcoming seven-week-long World Cup.

The atmosphere was electric as the enthusiastic crowd warmly welcomed the players, showering their love on the captain and chanting ‘Babar Bhai’ at Hyderabad’s airport. The highly anticipated One-Day International (ODI) tournament is scheduled to commence on October 5.

Read More: WATCH: Indian fans cheer ‘Babar Bhai’ welcome for Pakistan team

Taking to his Instagram account, Babar Azam conveyed his gratitude, stating, “I’m overwhelmed with the love and support here in Hyderabad!” Meanwhile, star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi also shared his excitement, posting on social media, “Great welcome thus far!”

Mohammad Rizwan also expressed his astonishment at the warm reception from the fans upon their arrival in Hyderabad.

Amazing reception from the people here. Everything was super smooth. Looking forward to the next 1.5 months 😇

— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) September 27, 2023

It is pertinent to note that Pakistan and India have a long history of political tensions, and their cricket teams typically only meet in international tournaments, often on neutral ground. The upcoming tournament spans 46 days, featuring 48 matches at 10 different venues, with the final showdown scheduled for November 19.

Pakistan is set to participate in two warm-up matches in Hyderabad, facing New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3. However, due to expected large crowds attending a Hindu festival on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the first warm-up match will be held behind closed doors based on advice from local security agencies.