WATCH: Pakistan team greeted with heartwarming gesture upon arrival at Hyderabad airport for 2023 ODI World Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Team has landed in Hyderabad on September 27 for the ODI World Cup 2023. Notably, the team came here after seven years, as Pakistani players last came to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup. However, most of the players are new and have arrived in the host country for the very first time.

Notably, as the players arrived in Hyderabad, they received a warm welcome at the airport. There was an enthusiastic crowd that was cheering and chanting the names of Pakistani players. In addition, this great reception also delighted the cricketers, who shared heartwarming notes on their Instagram stories upon their arrival in India.

It is noteworthy that India and Pakistan face each other in major tournaments only due to geopolitical tensions between these countries. Notably, the Indian government has not allowed the Men in Blue to play the bilateral series since 2012. In addition, the Indian Cricket Board denied sending their players to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, which pushed their interest in Sri Lanka as the co-host.

It is quite an honour for me to travel as the captain this time around: Babar Azam

Meanwhile, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam was thrilled to travel to India for the marquee event, which is set to begin on October 5. The 28-year-old skipper was quite proud to travel to India as the skipper. In addition, the Lahore-born cricketer hopes to win the trophy this time for his side.

“All of us are proud of travelling for the World Cup. Although we have not played in India before, we are not taking too much pressure. We have done our research and we have heard the conditions are similar to how they play out in other Asian countries. It is quite an honour for me to travel as the captain this time around, I hope we come back with a trophy this time,” Babar Azam said during his pre-departure press conference.

Watch the video of Pakistan Team’s warm welcome at the Hyderabad Airport: 

The beautiful hospitality of India and Indian people during the arrival of the Pakistani team.

The World Cup is gonna be top notch affair!pic.twitter.com/8FtZWri07r

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 28, 2023