Follow UsPakistan had last played in India back in 2016. It’s been seven years now, and all the players who participated in that edition of the T20 World Cup have made way for a new bunch of players. However, forgetting the animosity that typically engulfs both nations nowadays, Indian public gave a pretty good welcome to the Pakistani cricket team when the Babar Azam-led unit landed in Hyderabad. Babar Azam was overwhelmed by the reception they received in India and stated the love of the people made it seem like they are at their home.
“We received good hospitality, and we were not expecting this, but I think the way people responded to us, everyone enjoyed it,” Babar said at the captain’s conference in Ahmedabad on Wednesday ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
“We are here for a week in Hyderabad, so we do not feel like we are in India; it was like we are at home. We enjoyed and had a lot of fun. It’s good, and I think it's a golden opportunity for everyone to give 100% and enjoy the tournament.”
Defending champions England have redefined white-ball cricket in the last eight years, and they are one of the firm contenders for the title this time as well. Buttler added that their style of play has now been ingrained in the system, and players coming through are adopting the style from the grassroots level.
“The team’s been mainly together for a long time since 2015, since the start of that sort of revolution that you mentioned, and I think you said right through the game. Now in England, young players coming through play a certain way and are determined to carry on the style, and I think we know it gives us the best chance of success,” England skipper Jos Buttler said.
“We will get it wrong at times, but we’ve made peace with that, and it’s something we want to continue to strive to do, to keep pushing the boundaries. Other teams will push you and move it on further, so we always want to try and be at the head of that curve as well,” he added.