Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf has left for India to attend the IND vs PAK blockbuster clash in Ahmedabad. Even though many of the journalists are still waiting for their visas, Zaka Ashraf will be in Ahmedabad on Oct 14 for the India vs Pakistan World Cup clash. He will be the first PCB chief in 7 years to attend an IND vs PAK game in India even after calling India a “Dushman Mulk” (enemy country) that attracted a lot of criticism.
Ashraf said that he delayed his travel to India as journalists still did not receive visas. Now that the Indian embassy in Islamabad has begun processing their visas, the Pakistan Cricket chief will also travel to India.
“I have delayed my travel to India, and I am traveling tomorrow after receiving confirmation that Pakistan’s journalists have been asked to submit their passports to obtain visas to cover the mega event. I am happy that my conversation with the Foreign Office helped in achieving a positive development regarding the visa delay,” Zaka Ashraf said in a PCB statement.
Pakistan have won both their games so far. Babar Azam & Co chased down a record 345-run target against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
“I am traveling to India to motivate the team, and my message to them before the India contest will be to play fearlessly as they have been playing throughout the event,” said Ashraf.
Zaka Ashraf was in the news for all the wrong reasons after Pakistan arrived with Hyderabad giving them a warm welcome.
Ashraf called India a “Dushman Mulk”, facing a criticism on social media.
“We have awarded these contracts to our players with immense love and affection. Never before in Pakistan’s history has such a substantial amount been allocated to players. My objective was to ensure that our players’ morale remains high as they travel to compete in countries, including the so-called ‘enemy country,” he said last month.
