Babar Azam “Overwhelmed” by Heartwarming Welcome in India for 2023 World Cup

Hyderabad: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and support his team received upon their arrival in India for the upcoming World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 5 to November 19, and the Pakistani team landed in Hyderabad on Wednesday evening amidst tight security.

Touchdown India 🛬#WeHaveWeWill | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/F1IZYG9kVb

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 27, 2023

Babar Azam shared his excitement on Instagram, posting a picture of the warm reception, saying, “Overwhelmed with the love and support here in Hyderabad.” He wasn’t the only one acknowledging the warmth of the Indian reception, as fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi also praised the Indian fans for their hospitality.

Before their departure for India, Babar Azam held a press conference where he discussed his team’s ambitions. Instead of aiming for just a top-4 finish, he emphasized Pakistan’s determination to clinch the World Cup title in India.

Pakistan recently lost their No.1 ODI ranking to India, who secured the top spot after beating Australia 2-1 in a bilateral series. However, Pakistan has an opportunity to reclaim the top ranking, with their campaign starting positively by defeating the Netherlands in their first league match at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Ahead of their World Cup campaign, Pakistan is gearing up with a couple of warm-up matches. It’s worth noting that they faced disappointment in the Asia Cup, failing to advance to the final after losses to India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, Pakistan had to cope with the absence of Naseem Shah, who was ruled out of the tournament. In his place, Hasan Ali, who has played only 7 ODIs since the 2019 World Cup, has been included in the squad.