Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf got under hot water after he called India a “Dushman Mulk” during a media interaction. His controversial remark came despite Pakistan team’s warm reception in Hyderabad.
While interacting with media to announce new central contracts and hike in the match fees to players, Ashraf said that this was done boost players’ morale while they are playing in “enemy country”.
“Players hain inka morale upar rehna chahiye jab ye kisi dushman mulk ya kisi bhi jagah khelne jaayen jahan wo competition ho raha hosoto they should go with the full support of the nation aur unko ek achche tarike se perform kar saken. (Players’ morale should remain high when they go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held. We should support them so that they can perform well),” PCB chairman said.
Notably, Babar Azam and Co. arrived in Hyderabad on Wednesday for the World Cup and received a warm welcome outside the airport and in the hotel. Many Pakistani cricketers even took to their social media to thank the Indian fans for grand welcome. However, PCB Chairman’s remark left both Indian and Pakistan cricket fans fuming.
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It is the first time in 7 years that a Pakistan cricket team come on Indian soil to play cricket. The last time Pakistan arrived in India was in 2016 for the T20 World Cup.
Noatbly, India and Pakistan only play in ICC and ACC tournaments due to political tensions between the countries.
Both teams will now face each other in IND vs PAK World Cup 2023 match on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
