New Delhi: With days to go for the One Day International (ODI) cricket world cup 2023, Pakistan team led by skipper Babar Azam arrived in Hyderabad on wednesday night.
Pakistani team arrived in India, after a gap of 7 years. The excitement was palpable at the airport as cricket fans & lovers shouted ‘welcome chants’ while others scrambled to get a selfie clicked with them. Many chanted the names of
Pak captain Babar Azam. However, more than anything else what has become talking point among the netizens is the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam sporting a saffron stole upon arrival.
As the Pakistani team made its way for the hotel, they were welcomed & greeted at the airport by the Indian cricket board.
Videos of Pakistani skipper Babar Azam & a few other players welcomed with saffron stole grabbed the attention of all and also went viral on social media. Many netizens commented on the viral video, some even called it ‘new India’.
New Bharat- Video of Pakistan Cricket Team players, upon arrival in India, greeted with BHAGWA Gamchas has gone viral on SM pic.twitter.com/0thJlSizM1
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 28, 2023
I warmly Welcome Pakistan Cricket Team on their arrival in my beloved country after a long time period of 7 years,
Whether it is Pakistan, Sri Lanka or India. The craze for the No.1 ODI batter Babar Azam is everywhere.#BabarAzam𓃵 #PakistanCricket @cricketworldcup @BCCI @TheReal pic.twitter.com/6KVp3EP27P— S G (@gulzar0374) September 28, 2023
The World Cup cricketing extravaganza is all set to begin from October and will run till November 19. The cricketing spectacle will be witnessed by thousands & lakhs of fans during the two-month long tournament.
Notably, the two nations have avoided playing bilateral series and visiting each other for couple of years. The recently concluded Asia Cup matches between the arch rivals also concluded at a ‘neutral’location as Team India didn’t got a go ahead to visit the neighbouring country, on back of its support to terror activities.
A warm welcome in Hyderabad as we land on Indian shores 👏#WeHaveWeWill | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/poyWmFYIwK
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 27, 2023
Skipper Babar Azam also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love & support they received in India. Reports suggest that he posted a ‘thankful note’ in his Instagram story while Pak pacer Shaheen Afridi also shared a similar Instagram story.
“Great welcome thus far,” wrote Shaheen Afridi.
Pakistan World Cup squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim.
