The Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad, India, amidst tight security on Wednesday, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome from excited fans ahead of the upcoming World Cup. This marks Pakistan’s first visit to India since 2016, and the atmosphere was electric as fans cheered for their favorite players, with skipper Babar Azam expressing his gratitude, saying, “Overwhelmed with the love and support here in Hyderabad!”
A warm welcome in Hyderabad as we land on Indian shores 👏#WeHaveWeWill | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/poyWmFYIwK
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 27, 2023
As the Men in Green touched down in Hyderabad for the One Day International (ODI) tournament, scheduled to commence on October 5, crowds of fans gathered at the airport, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes. Officers were on hand to maintain order and ensure the safety of the players and spectators.
Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi both took to Instagram to share their excitement about the warm welcome they received in India. Shaheen Afridi expressed his delight, stating, “Great welcome thus far!” Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan also expressed his amazement at the warm reception from fans.
It’s worth noting that cricket matches between India and Pakistan have been a highly anticipated and emotionally charged affair, given the longstanding political tensions between the two nations. In recent years, the teams have primarily faced each other in international tournaments, often held in neutral venues.
The World Cup, which features 48 matches over 46 days at 10 different venues, will culminate with the final on November 19. Pakistan is set to play two warm-up matches, the first against New Zealand on September 29 and the second against Australia on October 3, both in Hyderabad. However, due to the expected large crowds for a Hindu festival on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the first warm-up match will be held behind closed doors, following advice from local security agencies.
Pakistan’s World Cup journey kicks off with a match against the Netherlands, followed by the highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India in the over 130,000-seat Ahmedabad Stadium on October 14. India will begin their campaign against Australia on October 8, setting the stage for an intense showdown against Pakistan.
Visa arrangements for the Pakistan team to travel to India were reportedly issued just 48 hours before their scheduled departure. As of now, there has been no official response from India regarding visa arrangements for Pakistan fans traveling to support their team during the tournament.
