On September 28, 2023, former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed made statements during a panel discussion on the Pakistani news channel Samaa TV, suggesting that cities with significant Muslim populations, such as Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, would support the Pakistani cricket team in the upcoming matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, held in India. Mushtaq Ahmed’s remarks came in the context of the Pakistani team’s arrival in India for the tournament.
The panel discussion featured Pakistani woman cricketer Iram Javed, cricket analyst Hafiz Imran, and an anchor, among others. The anchor set the stage by stating, “The Pakistani team is in Hyderabad and will proceed to Ahmedabad, where they are scheduled to play a match against India. Despite various challenges, including visa issues, we are confident that we will receive significant fan support, which is a positive sign for us.”
Mushtaq Ahmed then commented on the situation, highlighting the warm welcome the team received outside the airport and their hotel, attributing it to the substantial Muslim population in these cities. However, it’s worth noting that this part of the discussion was excluded from the video uploaded by Samaa TV’s YouTube channel, which covered other remarks made by the panelists on a similar theme.
The anchor had previously noted the enthusiastic reception the Pakistani cricketers received from Indian fans, both outside the airport and the hotel in Hyderabad. Indian fans eagerly awaited glimpses of their favorite Pakistani players, shouting their names and expressing admiration not only for their cricketing skills but also their personal styles.
Hafiz Imran shared his perspective, suggesting that while the warm welcome from Indian fans was a positive sight, it might not necessarily translate into strong support for Pakistan within the stadiums. He cited the example of the 1996 Cricket World Cup quarter-final between India and Pakistan, where the atmosphere in the stadium shifted when Pakistani players performed well, leading to a subdued response from the Indian crowd.
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Iram Javed, the Pakistani woman cricketer, remained optimistic, stating that there would undoubtedly be some supporters for the Pakistani team within the stadiums. She also proposed the idea of using speakers to simulate crowd noise during practice sessions, albeit using the term “drill” instead of “practice,” drawing a parallel with military exercises.
Mushtaq Ahmed added his perspective on the crowd noise simulation idea, suggesting that batsmen could practice stepping onto the ground after a wicket falls to acclimate themselves to such situations.
When asked if he had directly conveyed this advice to the Pakistani cricket team, Mushtaq Ahmed cited a quote from Hazrat Ali Razi Allah, suggesting that he preferred not to give unsolicited advice unless sought by the players. However, he expressed openness to the idea that his advice might reach the team through the TV program.
In summary, the Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad on September 27, 2023, for their participation in the ODI World Cup, overcoming minor visa-related challenges. They are currently set to play a practice match against New Zealand in the city. The discussion on Samaa TV revolved around the team’s warm reception from Indian fans and the potential support they might receive during the tournament matches in India.