PCB chief Naqvi urges nation to refrain
from criticising cricket team ahead of T20 World Cup
It was an
evening of green ties, selfies and prayers for victory. Just a few weeks away
from the ICC Men’s T20 cricket World Cup and the evening before today’s T20
match between Pakistan and England at the Oval stadium in London, the men in
green shirts were hosted at Pakistan House in London for a dinner reception.
Located in the
upscale Hampstead suburb, the road leading to the house was lined by cars and
the official tour bus of the men’s cricket team. Inside, there was a crush of
people waiting to get a glimpse of their favourite cricketer and Mayor of
London Sadiq Khan, who also made an appearance to cheer the team on.
The dinner was
hosted by High Commission Mohammad Faisal, with Interior Minister and Pakistan
Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi as the chief guest.
As the speeches
opened, the master of ceremonies invited the interior minister to speak with
some attempted comedy.
“Did you bring
your lucky cricket bat? Because our team will need all the luck they can get.”
A silence fell
over the crowd, as the players looked to the PCB chief to begin an address high
on emotion.
“It is my
request that for the next one week, please let’s support our players. We have
full trust in them, and each Pakistani needs to tell them it doesn’t matter if
they win or lose: we stand with them,” Naqvi said.
“If they go to
the US [for the T20 World Cup] with this approach, they will bring the World
Cup. Please stop criticising them for four weeks,” he said.
The players
laughed appreciatively, with more than one saying “inshallah”.
Next came the
mayor, who expanded on Naqvi’s plea to refrain
He said that
cricket “ignites passion and unites nations”.
“In sports,
people get criticism — especially cricketers from Pakistan,” said Khan.
He looked at
the players in the garden and said that he appreciated there is “a lot of
pressure on them from around the globe”
“Remember the
reason why you first started playing. Enjoy the next four weeks — I can promise
you in London there is no rain tomorrow [Thursday]! That’s a record-breaking
promise from a Pakistani-origin mayor of London.” The crowd laughed.
Khan continued,
“Babar bhai, in many eyes you are the best batsman in the world. This team has
the best trio of pace bowlers.”
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